The year 2025 proved to be a watershed period for India's telecommunications landscape, marked by groundbreaking technological entries and the phasing out of legacy consumer offerings. The sector witnessed a dynamic shift from terrestrial networks to the skies with the advent of satellite communication services, while simultaneously saying goodbye to the once-popular 1GB daily data plans that had dominated the market for years. These developments, driven by intense competition among major players like Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea, have set a new trajectory for connectivity, pricing, and consumer choice in the country.
The Satellite Communication Revolution Takes Flight
A defining moment of the year was the commercial launch of Reliance Jio's satellite internet service, Jio SpaceFiber, in October 2025. This move officially marked Jio's entry into the satellite communication (satcom) arena, a sector long anticipated to bridge the digital divide in India's most remote and rural regions. Jio did not enter this space alone; it faced competition from other global and domestic players who also received necessary approvals from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
The introduction of satcom services is poised to fundamentally alter internet accessibility. The primary promise lies in delivering high-speed broadband connectivity to villages, difficult terrains, and areas where laying traditional fiber optic cables is economically unviable or physically challenging. This initiative aligns with the national goal of universal digital inclusion, potentially bringing millions of new users online and supporting critical services like telemedicine and online education in far-flung areas.
The Sunset of the 1GB Daily Data Plan Era
While the industry looked to the skies, a significant change was occurring on the ground for everyday mobile users. One of the most notable consumer trends of 2025 was the phasing out of 1GB daily data plans by major telecom operators. For years, these plans were a staple of the Indian market, offering a perceived balance of data and cost for average users.
However, driven by the massive surge in data consumption, the rollout of 5G networks, and the need for improved average revenue per user (ARPU), companies began shifting their focus. The new emphasis was placed on longer-validity plans offering larger data pools, such as monthly or quarterly packs with 50GB, 100GB, or even unlimited data (with fair usage policies). This transition reflects the evolving usage patterns where consumers now stream high-definition video, engage in video calls, and download large files regularly, making the old 1GB-per-day model increasingly inadequate.
5G Expansion and Network Investments Continue
Parallel to these shifts, the aggressive rollout of 5G services continued unabated throughout 2025. Bharti Airtel announced a major expansion of its 5G Plus network, claiming to have covered thousands of new towns and cities. The focus for telcos expanded beyond mere coverage to enhancing the quality of service and developing use-case scenarios for enterprises and industries, aiming to monetize the 5G investment more effectively.
Network upgrades and investments remained a top priority. Companies allocated substantial capital expenditure (capex) to not only densify their 5G infrastructure but also to upgrade their 4G networks, which continue to serve the vast majority of subscribers. The year also saw continued discussions around spectrum pricing, network sharing agreements, and the financial health of the sector, with Vodafone Idea working on its much-needed fundraise and network expansion plans to stay competitive.
The cumulative impact of these developments points to a more mature, layered, and competitive telecom market in India. Consumers now have a wider array of choices, from ultra-fast 5G in urban centers to soon-to-be-ubiquitous satellite broadband in remote locations. The move away from restrictive daily data plans towards larger data bundles indicates a market adapting to genuine consumer needs. As 2025 closes, the stage is set for 2026 to be the year where satellite services become more mainstream and 5G finds its killer applications, further transforming how India connects and communicates.
