Top 10 ISPs in India

June 25, 2024

Registrationwala

ISPs are businesses that provide internet services. In fact, ISP full form is Internet Service Provider. In India, internet service providers require an ISP license which is issued by the Department of Telecommunications under the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. Without this license, businesses can’t provide internet services in India.

List of Top 10 ISPs in India

Let’s take a look at the top 10 ISPs in India. We’re pretty sure you’ve heard about most ISPs mentioned in this list.

1. Jio

Launched: 2016

Head Office: Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra

Mukesh Ambani’s ISP company Reliance Jio was launched in 2016 with the aim of empowering every Indian with affordable access to a digital life enabled with the best digital technologies in the world. In addition to bringing about a digital revolution in India, Jio has also changed how Indians connect to the rest of the world.

India's digital history can be divided into two periods: the pre-Jio era and the post-Jio era. India's mobile data consumption was ranked 155th prior to Jio's introduction. However, less than a year after Jio's introduction, India shot to the top of the global mobile broadband data consumption rankings.

India has surpassed many countries like USA and UK in terms of mobile data consumption, led by Jio. Jio is the largest internet service provider in India and the second largest single country operator in the world. The ISP company offers services such as internet connectivity, fiber, apps, mobile devices and business solutions.

2. Bharti Airtel

Launched: 1995
Head Office: Vasant Kunj, New Delhi

Bharti Airtel, or simply Airtel, is an Indian Internet Service provider. It is the second largest ISP in India, and also in our top 10 ISPs in India list. Currently, Bharti Airtel operates in 18 countries across Africa and South Africa and also Channel Islands.

Headquartered in New Delhi, Airtel’s internet services in India include 2G, 3G and 4G wireless services, mobile commerce, fixed line services, high speed home broadband, DTH, enterprise services including national & international long distance services to carriers.

It offers 2G, 3G, 4G wireless services and mobile commerce in the rest of the geographies. As of 30th June, 2023, Bharti Airtel has over 268,028,831 broadband subscribers in India.

3. Vi

Launched: 2018

Head Office: Mumbai Maharashtra

Vodafone Idea, abbreviated as Vi, is an Aditya Birla Group and Vodafone Group collaboration. It is one of the top 10 ISPs in India. Vi provides Voice and Data services across 3G, 4G and 5G platforms all across India.

To support the growing demand for data and voice in the country, Vodafone Idea has a large spectrum portfolio. The company shows commitment towards delivering satisfactory customer experiences and also contributes towards creating ‘Digital India’ by allowing millions of Indians to connect and build a better future.

The company is building the necessary infrastructure which is required to introduce its customers to smarter and newer technology, and enable retail and enterprise clients to take advantage of advanced services that are easily accessed through digital channels’ ecosystem and extensive on-ground presence.

Vodafone Idea is listed on both the major stock exchanges in India i.e., on Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange (NSE). You might be aware of the Vodafone FPO launch which took place in April, 2024. Vodafone Idea shares have been trending lately.

4. BSNL

Launched: 2000
Head Office: Janpath, New Delhi

After the corporatization of the erstwhile Department of Telecom Services, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, abbreviated as BSNL, came into existence on 15th September in 2000. With effect from 01.10.2000, BSNL has taken over the erstwhile functions and responsibilities of the Department of Telecommunication in respect of provision of telecom services across the length and breadth of the country excluding Mumbai and Delhi.

BSNL is a Public Sector Undertaking which is wholly owned by the Government of India. This PSU has a lot of experience when it comes to design, implementation, network integration, and upkeep of transmission networks and switches. BSNL boasts a top-notch Telecom Training Institute that is ISO 9000 certified.

BSNL is a technology-oriented ISP which provides a multitude of telecom services such as GSM Mobile Services which include 2G, 3G, 4G & Value added Services (VAS), Wire line Services, Internet and Broadband services including Fiber to the Home (FTTH), Enterprise Data services like Leased circuits & MPLS VPN, National Long Distance services, International Long Distance Services, Data Center services and Wi-Fi services.

5. Atria Convergence Technologies

Launched: 2000
Head Office: Bengaluru, Karnataka

Atria Convergence Technologies Ltd, ACT, is an ISP based out of Bengaluru. Launched in 2000, it was born out of a vision to become the most admired company when it comes to in-the-home entertainment, education and interactive services.

ACT serves many cities and towns in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Delhi and Tamil Nadu. This ISP company is one of the top 10 ISPS in India due to its renowned cable and broadband services to nearly 2 million customers. It offers Fibernet (Internet over Fiber Optics), Digital TV and HDTV connection.

Atria Convergence Technologies Ltd. is backed by True North, which is a premier private equity investment fund and TA associates, which is a global growth private equity firm having $17 billion of invested capital.

6. RailTel

Launched: 2000
Head Office: Kidwai Nagar, New Delhi

RailTel Corporation is a PSU in “Mini Ratna (Category-I)” and is one of the largest ISP providers in India owning a optic fiber network along railway tracks across India. The optic fiber network covers all the important cities and towns of India and also numerous rural areas, covering nearly 70% of the population of India.

Over the years, RailTel has transformed itself from being a vanilla broadband provider to an integrated information and communication technology services provider.

RailTel is committed to bring advanced technology and offer innovative solutions to the telecommunication sector in India.

When it comes to providing nationwide broadband telecom and multimedia networks in all parts of India in addition to advancement of train operations and administration network systems, RailTel remains at the forefront. RailTel, with its pan India high capacity network, is working towards forming a knowledge society in a number of ways.

7. Excitel Broadband

Launched: 2015

Head Office: Aerocity, New Delhi

Headquartered in New Delhi, Excitel Broadband is one of the largest internet service providers in India. This ISP company offers high speed wireless internet services with internet plans that come with unlimited data.

Excitel Fibernet uses cutting-edge fiber optic technology to provide lag-free internet access. It guarantees a smooth internet experience with equal upload and download speeds. Excitel Fiber offers the fastest bandwidth in India and also hassle-free browsing. The ISP company’s obsession is changing how young Indians get their entertainment at home via the internet.

Excitel Fibernet Internet outperforms other broadband technologies due to its optical fibers’ usage for transmitting data, which enables high speed connectivity and minimal signal loss for long distances. The speed offered by Excitel Fiber often reaches 1 Gbps which enables fast uploads and downloads. In contrast to traditional broadband connections like DSL or cable which offer lower speeds which range from 1-100 Mbps which leads to slower data transfer rates.

8. Hathaway Cable and Datacomm

Launched: 1959
Head Office: Mumbai, Maharashtra

Headquartered in Mumbai, Hathaway is one of the largest MSO and cable broadband service providers in India. Through its wholly owned subsidiary Hathaway Digital Private Limited - one of the largest multisystem Operators in India, Hathaway also provides cable television services.

Hathway is promoted by the Raheja Group. Hathway holds PAN India ISP License. It was the first cable television service provider to offer high-speed cable broadband services in 16 cities in India. The vision of this company is to be a single point access provider when it comes to bringing into home and workplace an integrated universe of information, entertainment, and services.

Hathway, being one of the biggest MSOs in India, distributes data to LCOs or subscribers directly across the nation's many regions. Its extensive network links 7.2 million households and subscribers to digital cable. It provides cable TV services in nearly 350 major cities and towns. In total, nine Indian Telly Awards for excellent Cable TV and Broadband Internet Services, as well as the "Star News Brand Excellence Awards for Brand Excellence in Digital Products for Internet Services in 2011" have recognized Hathway as the finest MSO. Based on a study conducted by EUROMONEY, this ISP company has been voted as one of the best managed media companies in Asia 2013.

9. OneOTT Intertainment

Launched: 1999

Head Office: Mumbai, Maharashtra

A subsidiary of Hinduja Global Solutions Ltd (HGS), OneOTT Intertainment Limited (OIL) is one of the top 10 ISPs in India and has a strong presence in over 300 cities across the country.

ISP company OIL provides high speed broadband service under the brand “ONE Broadband” and with “ONE Gigafiber”, the ISP company also offers fiber to the home services with 1000 Mbps broadband speed.

At ONE Broadband, connectivity and customer satisfaction are of greatest importance. For improved communication, entertainment, and productivity, the ISP company gives their clients access to the fastest internet connections available. OIL has a presence in more than 350 major cities.

For allowing EVERYONE to have access to the internet, free Wi-Fi is provided by ONE Broadband in a number of public locations, including airports, train stations, gathering places, and special events like Ganesh Chaturthi and Navratri.

10. Kerala Vision Broadband Limited

Launched: 2016
Head Office: Thrissur, Kerala

In 2016, Kerala vision Broadband Limited was launched as an initiative of independent Cable TV Operators in Kerala under Cable Operators Association’s (COA) guidance. COA is a union for all the local cable operators in Kerala. It is a coalition of over 4000 independent cable networks operating throughout Kerala. Its primary goal is to develop the state's cable television industry by expanding its network, advancing technology, opening up new business opportunities, and more. It also seeks to resolve issues and challenges facing the sector on behalf of its members.

In Kerala, Kerala Vision Broadband Limited has over 3000 broadband providers, and even in isolated areas, their network connectivity is quite strong. In an effort to serve more clients, Kerala Vision Broadband Limited is extending the connection of their network. Its rates are highly competitive in the industry.

Conclusion

For availing internet services, you can opt for one of these ISPs depending on your location, utility, budget, desired broadband speed, etc. In case you want to become an ISP company, you can get in touch with Registrationwala for assistance in obtaining ISP License.

Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only. The ISPs listed in the blog post “top 10 ISP companies in India” are not ranked according to any official rankings or data but based on personal opinion. Registrationwala shall not be responsible for any decisions taken based on the information provided in this blog post.