DTH subscribers down 1.32 million in India in 3Q 2023

NEW DELHI — The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released the “Indian Telecom Services Performance Indicator Report” for the Quarter ending 30th September, 2023. 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 July, 2023 to 30th September, 2023 compiled mainly on the basis of information furnished by the Service Providers.

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

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

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

                                      2021
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End-March   End-June  End-Sept.   End-Dec.
---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
    69.57      69.86      68.89      68.52

                                      2022
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End-March   End-June  End-Sept.   End-Dec.
---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
    66.92      67.04      65.58      66.62

                                      2023
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End-March   End-June  End-Sept.   End-Dec.
---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
    65.25      65.50      64.18

Direct-to-Home (DTH) Sector

Since the introduction of DTH Sector in the year 2003, Indian DTH (direct-to-home) services have displayed a phenomenal growth. During the QE 30th September 2023, there were 4 pay DTH service providers in the country.

Pay DTH has attained total active subscriber base of around 64.18 million. This is in addition to the subscribers of the DD Free Dish (free DTH services of Doordarshan). The total active subscriber base has decreased from 65.50 million in QE June 2023 to 64.18 million in QE September 2023.

Cable TV Sector

As on 30th September 2023, there are 995 MSOs registered with MIB. As per the data reported by MSOs and HITS operator, as on September 2023, there are 11 MSOs & 1 HITS operator who have subscriber base greater than one million. Details of subscriber base of major MSO and HITS Operators (greater than one million) are given in following Table:

Subscriber base of major MSOs/HITS operators at the end of September, 2023
(more than one million subscribers)

                                                         2023
Rank  Operator                                      End-Sept.
----  --------------------------------------------  ---------
1.    GTPL Hathway                                  9,011,425
2.    Siti Networks Ltd.                            5,775,169
3.    Hathway Digital Ltd.                          5,385,246
4.    Thamigzha Cable TV Communication Ltd. (TCCL)  3,821,799
5.    Den Networks Ltd.                             3,816,171
6.    Kerala Communicators Cable Ltd (KCCL)         3,314,769
7.    NXT Digital Ltd. (HITS)                       2,263,930
8.    KAL Cables                                    2,031,754
9.    VK Digital                                    1,677,702
10.   Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV (TACTV)             1,602,780
11.   Fastway Transmission Pvt. Ltd                 1,564,564
12.   NXT Digital Ltd. (CATV)                       1,122,783

IPTV

As per information provided by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), as on 30.09.2023, there are 26 IPTV Operators. At present, as per the reported subscriber figures, the details in respect of IPTV operators who are operational is as under:

Active IPTV Subscriber Base

                                                      2023
Rank  Operator                                   End-Sept.
----  -----------------------------------------  ---------
1.    Andhra Pradesh State Fibernet Ltd (APSFL)    588,138
2.    M/s City Online Media Pvt. Ltd                20,624
3.    M/s Wi-bro Solutions Pvt. Ltd                  1,191
4.    M/s V.K. Digital Network Pvt. Ltd                 45