Thread: GSM operators add record 9.3 mn subscribers in January

Unscathed by the global economic downturn, the Indian telecom growth story continues with the GSM operators adding a record 9.3 million new subscribers -- the highest ever, taking the total user base to 267.5 million in January, 2009.

The GSM operators' association, COAI, today released the subscribers figures, which does not include the numbers from Reliance Telecom. A COAI official said if Reliance Telecom numbers are included the addition may cross 10 million.

Vodafone Essar added 2.4 million new users (total base (63 million) last month, while Airtel added 2.73 million more customers (88 million).

Idea Cellular added two million new users and state-run BSNL added 1.31 million new users (42 million). MTNL added 0.1 million new users in January.

Indian telecom operators added 10.66 million wireless subscribers in December.

The world's second largest wireless market and one of the fastest growing telecom markets maintained the growth momentum on the back of cheap call rates and handsets.

While handsets are available at a price of Rs 1,200-Rs 1,500, call rates hit rock bottom of below Rs one.

The total wireless subscribers (GSM, CDMA & WLL(F)) base stood at 346.89 million at the end of December 2008.

GSM operators add record 9.3 mn subscribers in January- Telecom-News By Industry-News-The Economic Times

what then conveniently ommit is the number of connections (particularly in the pre-paid segment which consists of more than 95%) that went dormant and were not recharged or used and remained "switched off" during the same period.

Adding to this ARPU & Revuene as on all time low, infact INDIA has lowest trarrif in the world

Great now more congestion on the overloaded networks, great for call drops.

Wonder when they will consolidate the infrastructure?

consumers are already suffering due to congestion and bottlenecks on the networks.

I think TRAI should intervene and stop all this nonsense

Originally Posted by pumbaa_g

Great now more congestion on the overloaded networks, great for call drops.

Wonder when they will consolidate the infrastructure?

consumers are already suffering due to congestion and bottlenecks on the networks.

I think TRAI should intervene and stop all this nonsense

TRAI has already intervened and asked the operators to reduce congestion in network by investing on newer, stabler hardware. If they cant comply, TRAI has asked them to switch the tariff from per minute billing to per second billing. Now its the waiting game, we need to wait for the service providers' action.

The bug question is when?

If the Telecom Providers are not interested then they should be fined heavily and if required the license canceled in that circle

One example and the rest will follow...

TRAI is like the toothless old tiger that can only roar once in while but can not bite. And the operators are all aware of it.

I heard that Chidambaram in a Public gathering actually asked Sunil Mittal when he would be able to make/receive calls without calls getting dropped multiple times...

Shame.....

If I was in his place, I would not have shown my face till this issue was resolved...

Sunil Mittal is the businessman son of a politician father who started from a small cycle parts factory some 35 years ago to create the largest telecom giant of the country.
Do u think he could achieve all this if he had such a thing like shame in his character. After all politics lie in his blood.