Bhubaneswar: Odisha continued to register steady growth in telecom connectivity during May 2026, with increasing mobile, broadband and fixed wireless access (FWA) subscriptions reflecting the state's expanding digital footprint, according to the latest telecom subscription data released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).

The report shows that Odisha recorded 0.25 million Mobile Number Portability (MNP) requests in May, up from 0.24 million in April, indicating sustained competition among telecom operators and growing consumer willingness to switch service providers while retaining their numbers.

4.26 Lakh 5G Fixed Wireless Subscribers in Odisha

One of the most notable trends is the continued expansion of 5G-based Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) services in Odisha.

The number of 5G FWA subscribers in the state rose from 4.17 lakh in April to 4.26 lakh in May, adding nearly 8,750 new subscribers in a single month.

Reliance Jio remained the dominant player in this segment, increasing its Odisha subscriber base from 3.30 lakh to 3.38 lakh, while Bharti Airtel's FWA subscriber count rose marginally from 87,465 to 87,943.

Industry experts view the rapid growth of FWA services as a sign that telecom companies are increasingly using 5G networks to deliver home broadband in areas where laying fibre remains challenging or uneconomical.

UBR-Based Wireless Broadband Also Expands

Odisha also witnessed growth in wireless broadband services delivered through Unlicensed Band Radio (UBR) technology.

The number of UBR-FWA subscribers increased from 60,712 in April to 64,365 in May, representing a monthly growth of around 6 per cent.

The trend suggests rising demand for alternative broadband solutions in semi-urban and rural regions where conventional wired connectivity remains limited.

National Telecom Base Crosses 1.34 Billion

At the national level, India added 5.56 million telephone subscribers during May, taking the total subscriber base to 1.343 billion.

Wireless subscriptions rose to 1.294 billion, while broadband subscribers crossed the 1.08 billion mark.

Urban areas continued to account for the majority of subscribers, but rural India also registered positive growth, with rural wireless subscriptions increasing by nearly 0.93 million during the month.

Broadband Growth Offers Opportunities for Odisha

The nationwide broadband subscriber base expanded from 1.073 billion in April to 1.080 billion in May, registering a monthly growth rate of 0.63 per cent.

Reliance Jio retained its position as India's largest broadband provider with 529.61 million subscribers, followed by Bharti Airtel with 376.11 million subscribers.

For Odisha, the continued growth of broadband and FWA services is expected to support the state's digital governance initiatives, online education, telemedicine services and rural entrepreneurship.

Rising Portability Requests Reflect Competitive Market

The increase in MNP requests in Odisha mirrors a broader national trend, with 14.46 million subscribers across India seeking number portability during May.

Telecom analysts say rising portability numbers typically indicate that consumers are actively comparing network quality, data speeds and pricing plans, compelling operators to improve service delivery.

Digital Inclusion Gains Momentum

The latest data suggest that Odisha is steadily benefiting from India's telecom expansion, particularly in next-generation broadband technologies. The growth in both 5G FWA and wireless broadband subscriptions indicates that digital connectivity is reaching deeper into the state, potentially narrowing the urban-rural digital divide.

With telecom companies continuing to invest in network expansion and 5G infrastructure, industry observers expect Odisha's digital ecosystem to witness further growth in the coming months.

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