World's 2nd largest wireless network by Apr

BS Reporter / New Delhi March 24, 2008
India is all set to become the second largest wireless network in the world ousting the US to the third slot by April this year. According to data available China tops the list with over 540 million wireless customers in February 2008, followed by the US with 260.50 million and India at 250.93 million.

However according to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the US is adding about 2-3 million subscribers in a month whereas China is adding around 6-7 million subscribers in a month. Compared to this India’s monthly wireless subscriber addition is highest in the range of 8-9 million a month. As a result the regulator points out India’s wireless subscriber base during the first half of April 2008 will surpass that of the US and will become second largest wireless network in the world.

In April TRAI also projects that India will meet another landmark it will hit the 300 million subscriber base mark - which would include both wireless as well as wire line subscribers.

TRAI states that a total of 8.49 million telephone connections have been added during February 2008 as compared to 8.74 million connections added in January 2008 thereby taking the total number of telephone connections to 290 million at the end of February 2008.

Meanwhile in the wireless segment, 8.53 million subscribers have been added in the month of February 2008 taking the total wireless subscribers base including GSM, CDMA and fixed wireless and local loop (WLLF) to 250 million at the end of February 2008.