As per data compiled by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), the total subscriber base in the country stood at 939.57 million at the end of August 2012.
The teledensity in the country increased to 77.28 per cent in end-August. In comparison, the total telecom user base in August 2011 stood at 899.78 million, with teledensity at 74.96 per cent.
According to DoT, the wireline user base declined significantly year-on-year, from August 2011 to August 2012. DoT added that this decline has stabilised and the wireless user base continued to grow. As per DoT, the wireless user base increased from 865.7 million in August 2011 to 908.3 million in August 2012.
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Mahanagar Nigam Telephone Limited (MTNL) continue to have the lion’s share of the market in the wireline segment, while private operators lead in the wireless segment.
As per DoT’s data, as of August 2012, BSNL and MTNL together have 79.93 and 11.51 per cent share in wireline and wireless segment, respectively.
Among other operators, Bharti Airtel retains its leadership position in the Indian telecom market with a market share of 20.24 per cent followed by Vodafone India and Reliance Communications (RCOM), with a market share of 16.32 per cent and 14.46 per cent, respectively. Idea Cellular has 12.34 per cent market share. BSNL and MTNL together have 13.78 per cent market share.
The data collected by DoT shows that the share of urban areas in the total number of connections has decreased to 63.77 per cent at the end of August 2012 and the share of rural areas has increased to 36.23 per cent for the same period. At the end of august 2012, urban areas had 599.18 million phones while rural areas have 340.38 million phones.
