India’s Digital Giant Goes Global—Jio Nears FWA Supremacy

Reliance Jio is on the brink of becoming the world’s largest Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) provider, surpassing US telecom giant TMobile, according to the latest industry data and analyst projections. As of May 2025, Jio’s total 5G FWA subscriber base—including unlicensed band radio (UBR) users—stood at 6.88 million, edging past TMobile’s 6.85 million reported in March.

 

Rapid Growth:

Jio added 1.03 million FWA users in May alone, with a net monthly gain of 0.74 million after UBR reclassification. Airtel, by contrast, added just 0.18 million, reaching 1.5 million FWA users.

 

Market Share Surge:

Jio’s wired broadband (including FWA) market share rose to 37.6% in May, up from 34% in November 2024, while Airtel trails at 21%.

 

India’s Broadband Boom:

The country’s wired broadband base grew to 51.5 million, with Jio contributing 0.66 million new users per month—a 24.6% YoY growth.

 

Global Context:

Ericsson’s June 2025 Mobility Report highlights an eightfold jump in Jio’s 5G FWA connections over the past year, driven by rural demand and affordable CPE devices.

 

Strategic Vision:

Jio aims to connect 100 million homes via 5G FWA, positioning India as a global leader in nextgen broadband.

 

With momentum on its side and a widening lead over rivals, Jio is not just disrupting India’s telecom landscape—it’s rewriting the global broadband playbook.

 

Sources: Economic Times Telecom, Business Standard, Rediff Money