Reliance Jio becomes world’s largest Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) service provider, beating T-Mobile

Indian telecom major Reliance Jio reportedly became the world's largest Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) service provider by subscribers globally by the end of June, surpassing US-based telecom giant T-Mobile.

ICICI Securities prepares report

According to recent data released by the telecom regulator TRAI, Reliance Jio's total 5G FWA subscriber base (including unlicensed band radio) reached 6.88 million in May, while T-Mobile had 6.85 million subscribers in March.

As analysed by ICICI Securities, the wired broadband (including FWA) subscribers base rose at an average of 1.8 million per month over December 2024 to May 2025 to 51.5 million, representing a 24.6% year-on-year growth.

‘Bharti’s subs increase 0.29mn/month to 10.8mn. RJio added 0.66mn subs/month, now at 19.4mn. Other operators’ subs base has been largely stable,’ it said.

Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Jio recategorised around 1 million Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) unlicensed band radio (UBR) subscribers into the FTTx category, following its net FWA subscriber base of 5.9 million in May, with a monthly addition of 0.74 million customers.

The report stated that the net addition was 0.74 million subscribers in May.

"RJio's FWA (including UBR) stood at 6.88 mn. This, compared to T-Mobile (US player, and the largest FWA subs base globally) FWA subs base was at 6.85 mn in March 2025. We believe RJio is on a path to become the dominant player by subs for FWA globally by end-June 2025," it said.

Also read: ‘Stakeholder told me to stop talking in meetings because of my accent,' claims Indian professional working in US (startuppedia.in)

Market share

Overall, Reliance Jio dominated the Indian market with a 50.72 per cent share in the broadband segment, comprising both wired and wireless segments.

Mukesh Ambani's telecom giant is followed by rival Bharti Airtel in India with 30.99 per cent share in the broadband segment.

The total net subscriber addition by the telecom service providers was 43,58,231. Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel jointly added 43,51,294, accounting for 99.84% of the total net subscriber addition in May.

Also read: Gen Z goes to work! Pyjama-clad new employees video-calling from work, ghosting managers mid-project, and demanding fast promotions (startuppedia.in)