VBS 2026: India's 'tech-celeration' in media and connectivity

Held on February 27, the 22nd edition of the Video, Broadcast and Broadband Tech Summit (VBS) explored how India’s media landscape is rapidly evolving through the convergence of broadband, mobile connectivity, and digital video platforms. India currently has 113.3 million pay TV subscribers, 60.06 million fixed broadband users, and around 1.2 billion mobile connections, reflecting the scale at which this transformation is unfolding.

The industry is shifting away from traditional hardware-led models toward a software-defined, broadband-first ecosystem, where connectivity and content are deeply integrated.

India’s pay TV sector is showing signs of stabilization after a period of decline. Instead of fading, operators are reinventing themselves as “super-aggregators,” bringing together linear TV and OTT platforms into unified interfaces. DTH and cable providers are increasingly offering universal content search across platforms, seamless integration of broadcast and streaming, and AI-powered content discovery. This evolution ensures that the set-top box remains central, but now as a smart gateway within a broadband-driven ecosystem rather than a standalone device.

While pay TV stabilizes, fiber broadband is rapidly expanding, emerging as the backbone of India’s digital future. Growth is being driven by fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) deployments, fixed wireless access (FWA) solutions, and collaboration between telecom operators and cable providers. Industry leaders are encouraging local cable operators to transition into internet service providers, leveraging their last-mile infrastructure to expand broadband reach. Bundled broadband and TV services are also being positioned as a way to enhance user value and revive traditional revenue streams.

Clients can access analysis for India telecom summary, 2025

The rollout of 5G is unlocking a new phase of connectivity, going beyond faster speeds to enable real-time interactivity, immersive AR/VR experiences, and low-latency applications. The evolution of networks can be seen as a progression where 4G made video streaming mainstream, 5G enables interactive and immersive services, and 6G is expected to power intelligent, hyper-connected ecosystems combining AI, sensing, and ultra-low latency. This progression is set to redefine how users engage with content and digital services.

A major theme at the summit was the convergence of cable, broadband, and mobile networks into a unified IP-based delivery system. This shift is being enabled by AI-driven content workflows and personalization, infrastructure sharing across industries, hybrid linear-OTT platforms, and regulatory frameworks supporting integration. Together, these elements are creating a hybrid ecosystem where traditional and digital platforms coexist and complement each other.

Clients can access analysis for India mobile projections, 2025

Looking ahead, India’s media and connectivity landscape is not moving toward pure cord-cutting, unlike some global markets. Instead, it is evolving into a hybrid model where pay TV, OTT, and broadband coexist, content is delivered through integrated platforms, and networks become smarter and more adaptive. The future points to an ecosystem where broadband is the foundation, and intelligent, converged networks redefine how content is delivered and consumed.

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Global Broadband & Pay TV is a regular feature from S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan.