GSM subscriber base crosses 70 million mark in April

New Delhi, May 8 (UNI) The GSM mobile subscriber base crossed the 70 million mark in April 2006, with an increase of 4.24 per cent at 72.12 million as against 69.2 million in March this year, an addition of 2.93 million during the month.

Telecom major Bharti Airtel Ltd, which has a market share of 28.7 per cent, witnessed a growth of 5.6 per cent in its GSM subscribers in April 2006 at 20.68 million as compared to 19.57 million in March this year.

BSNL saw a hike of 2.5 per cent in its subscribers at 17.59 million in April this year as against 17.15 million in March 2006.

It has a second highest market share at 24.4 per cent.

The third highest market leader, with a share of 22.3 per cent in GSM, Hutch, saw a growth of 4.5 per cent at 16.06 million in April as compared to 15.39 million in March.

Reliance recorded an increase of 5.3 per cent last month at 2.01 million GSM subscribers from an earlier subscriber base of 1.90 million in March this year. It comprises a 2.8 per cent share in the Indian telecom market.

Idea registered a growth of 3.7 per cent at 7.64 million last month as compared to 7.36 million GSM subscribers in March 2006.

Idea holds a share of 10.6 per cent in the entire market.

UNI PV RA KP1806