Fixed wireless access (FWA) connections in India are projected to reach 21.4 million by the end of 2030, registering a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.4% between 2025 and 2030, driven by growing demand for high-speed internet services in areas with limited fiber coverage and the emergence of FWA as an alternative for wired broadband connections in such areas, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
GlobalData’s India Fixed Communications Forecast (Q3 2025) reveals that the share of FWA in total fixed broadband connections in India will increase from 15.3% in 2025 to about 27.5% by the end of 2030, indicating a significant growth in its adoption.
Neha Misra, Telecom Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “This growth is being driven by operators’ efforts to popularize the services, especially with the introduction of 5G FWA services by Reliance Jio (JioAirFiber) and Bharti Airtel (Xstream AirFiber) in 2023. The ongoing service expansion by the two companies across the nation to deliver high-capacity home and business broadband, especially targeting areas with limited fiber, is also driving the FWA market growth.”
While Airtel has publicly outlined plans to scale its home-broadband base through FWA, Jio is deploying a dedicated 5G network slice for AirFiber, using automated, technology-agnostic infrastructure and AI-driven operations, backed by its ambition to connect 100 million homes via FWA and Fiber.
Following the successful launch of 5G FWA services by Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, the state-owned telco BSNL also unveiled its Quantum 5G Fixed Wireless Access service in the city of Hyderabad in June 2025, marking one of the earliest large-scale public-sector pushes into FWA. The service delivered close to 1 Gbps download speeds in trials and uses self-install customer-premises equipment CPE that can cover nearly 85% of households without requiring fiber rollout.
Misra adds: “FWA can remove last-mile connectivity barriers, which means more homes and businesses, including those in rural and far-flung areas, can get online, thereby helping bridge the digital divide and advance the country towards a high-quality digital society.”
Evolving use cases across residential and enterprise segments, including smart homes, small & medium enterprise (SME) connectivity, remote learning, and telemedicine, are also expected to drive FWA market growth over the forecast period. Increasing availability and continued expansion of 5G infrastructure by major telcos will also augur well for the FWA service expansion and adoption in the country.
Misra concludes: “India’s emerging FWA ecosystem presents operators with a strong revenue opportunity by enabling rapid expansion of home and SME broadband without the high capital intensity of fiber rollout. By leveraging nationwide 5G coverage, introducing tiered data plans, and bundling digital home services, operators can unlock higher ARPU, accelerate market penetration in underserved areas, and diversify beyond traditional revenues. As demand for high-capacity broadband grows, FWA is set to become a key strategic pillar supporting sustained operator monetization.”
Notes
Quotes provided by Neha Misra, Telecom Analyst at GlobalData
Information is based on GlobalData’s India Fixed Communications Forecast model (Q3 2025)
This report is written using data and information sourced from proprietary databases, primary and secondary research, and in-house analysis conducted by GlobalData’s team of industry experts.
GlobalData’s India Fixed Communications Forecast:
GlobalData’s India Fixed Communications Forecast quantifies current and future demand and spending on mobile services. The data is published quarterly.
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