(10 November 2005 8:00 pm)

MUMBAI: As per a compilation done by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) based on latest reports from operators, the subscriber base for telephony services has seen accelerated growth in 2005.

In the month of October 2005, 3.24 million subscribers were added as compared to 2.87 million subscribers in September, 2005. During the first seven months of 2005, around 18 million subscribers have been added.

For mobile segment, 2.90 million subscribers have been added during October 2005 as compared to 2.48 million in September, 2005. The mobile additions consist of 2.11 million GSM subscribers and 0.79 million CDMA subscribers as against 1.96 million GSM and 0.52 million CDMA last month, states a release issued by Trai.

During the first seven months of current financial year about 15.73 million mobile subscribers were added, making it a total of 67.95 million mobile subscribers at the end of October 2005.

The study shows that ARPU in India is lowest though usage is very high. A comparison study of Minutes of Use (MOU) has put Australia on top with 93 MOU and 33 ARPU ($ per month). India has recorded an MOU per month of 287 while the ARPU stands at a mere $8 per month.

In the fixed segment, a total of 0.34 million subscribers were added during October 2005, which were predominantly WLL (F). With this the total subscriber base of fixed lines have reached 48.17 million. The gross subscribers' base consisting of fixed as well as mobile has crossed 116 million.

The gross subscriber base consisting of fixed as well as mobile has become 116 million at the end of October, 2005. The tele-density at the end of October, 2005 has reached 10.66 as compared to 10.38 at the end of previous month.

Broadband connections have continued the similar growth rate since beginning of 2005. At the end of October, 2005, total Broadband connections in the country have crossed 6,90,000 as against a target of three million fixed in Broadband Policy-2004.