DTH subscribers down 1.42 million in India in 1Q 2021

“Indian Telecom Services Performance Indicator Report” for the Quarter ending January-March, 2021

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) today has released the “Indian Telecom Services Performance Indicator Report” for the Quarter ending 31st March, 2021. This Report provides a broad perspective of the Telecom Services in India and presents the key parameters and growth trends of the Telecom Services as well as Cable TV, DTH & Radio Broadcasting services in India for the period covering 1st January, 2021 to 31st March, 2021 compiled mainly on the basis of information furnished by the Service Providers.

Direct-to-Home (DTH) Sector

                                      2018
------------------------------------------
End-March   End-June  End-Sept.   End-Dec.
---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
    67.53      69.37      69.45      70.49

                                      2019
------------------------------------------
End-March   End-June  End-Sept.   End-Dec.
---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
    72.44      68.92      69.30      69.98

                                      2020
------------------------------------------
End-March   End-June  End-Sept.   End-Dec.
---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
    70.26      70.58      70.70      70.99

                                      2021
------------------------------------------
End-March   End-June  End-Sept.   End-Dec.
---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
    69.57

Since the introduction of DTH Sector in the year 2003, Indian DTH (directto-home) services have displayed a phenomenal growth. During the QE 31st March 2021, there were 4 pay DTH service providers in the country.

Pay DTH has attained total active subscriber base of around 69.57 million in QE 31st March 2021. This is in addition the subscribers of DTH Free Dish (free DTH services of Doordarshan).

Cable TV Sector

The country has achieved 100% digitization of Cable TV network. This is a stupendous achievement making India as the only large country where 100% digital cable has been achieved through mandatory regulations.

As on 31st March 2021, there are 1726 MSOs registered with MIB. Further, as per the data reported by MSOs/HITS operators, there are 12 MSOs & 1 HITS operator who have subscriber base greater than one million.

Subscriber base* of major MSOs/HITS operators at the end of March, 2021 (more than one million subscribers):

                                                             2020       2021
Rank  Operator                                           End-Dec.  End-March          Δ
----  ------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------
1  Siti Networks                                        8,575,483  8,253,493   -321,990
2  GTPL Hathway                                         7,696,965  7,745,881     48,916
3  Hathway Digital                                      5,471,637  5,659,809    188,172
4  Den Networks                                         4,943,116  4,521,821   -421,295
5  Thamizhaga Cable TV Communication Pvt Ltd (TCCL)     3,472,967  3,534,199     61,232
6  Kerala Communicators Cable Ltd (KCCL)                3,023,346  3,051,680     28,334
7  Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV                            3,010,307  2,937,729    -72,578
8  Fastway Transmissions Pvt Ltd                        2,237,148  2,225,223    -11,925
9  NXT Digital Ltd (HITS)                               2,118,820  2,051,633    -67,187
10  KAL Cables                                          2,007,770  2,022,165     14,395
11  VK Digital                                          1,712,025  1,761,232     49,207
12  Asianet Digital Network                             1,226,940  1,220,983     -5,957
11  NXT Digital Ltd (Cable TV)                          1,238,164  1,172,420    -65,744

* Includes subscribers who have been inactive or temporarily suspended for not more than last 90 days.