5.90 million mobiles users head telecom growth

New Delhi, Sep 12 (UNI) The country's telecom growth, lead by mobile users at 5.90 million touched six million last month.

Telecom regulator TRAI said the subscriber base for telephony services continued to maintain its growth during the month of August 2006 also.

During August 2006, 5.90 million mobile subscribers and 0.04 million-fixed line subscribers were added to project net 5.94 million subscribers as compared to 4.94 million net additions during July 2006.

WLL (F) subscribers of all the operators are now being considered as mobile subscribers in view of clarification issued by Department of Telecom (licensor) and accordingly the mobile and fixed line subscriber figures from April 2006 onwards have been changed.

At the end of August 2006, total Fixed lines were, 40.87 millions and mobiles were 123.44 million. The gross telephony subscribers in country reached 164.31 million as compared to 158.37 million in July 2006.

The overall tele-density reached around 14.80 in August 2006 as compared to 14.40 at the end of July 2006.

The net addition of mobile and fixed line subscribers in the first five months of FY 2006-07 is 23.99 million as compared to 10.51 million in the corresponding period of FY 2005-06.

Broadband connections have also continued the steady growth rate since beginning of 2006. At the end of August 2006 total broadband connections in the country reached 1.72 million having net addition of 0.07 million during August 2006.

The additions during first five months of current financial year is 0.37 million as compared to 0.34 millions during the corresponding period in the previous financial year.

UNI RT CS BS1905