NEW DELHI: The subscriber base for telephony services has continued to maintain its general growth, during the month of April. During the month, approximately 1.65 million subscribers were added, which included around 0.3 million fixed lines and 1.35 million mobile subscribers.

Thus, while there was some drop in the growth rate of mobile customers, the overall subscriber growth has been broadly maintained on account of an increase in the growth of fixed lines, says a statement from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai). In addition, the statement also offered that an interaction with the broadcast and cable industry will be held on 11 may to discuss issues regarding FM radio and unified licence issues.

During April 2004, 1.35 million mobile subscribers have been added raising the total number of mobile subscribers to around 35 million. Overall growth of telephony subscribers during the month was 2.5 times the same during the corresponding month last year. Growth of mobile subscribers during April 2004 over the corresponding month of last year (April 2003) was more than twice.

At the end of April 2004, total fixed lines have reached the figure of around 43 million and mobiles are around 35 million, making a total of telephony subscribers in the country to around 78 million. 

                                         (Subscribers in millions)