Indian Premium SMS Coverage

The subscriber base increased by 21.6 lakh in India during January 2005. With the implementation of new Access Deficit Charge (ADC) regime from February-1, the subscriber growth is likely to receive a boost due to a further decline in tariffs as most of the mobile operators have announced reduction in tariffs.

During first 10 months of the current financial year, 18.74 million new subscribers were added. For mobile segment, 1.77 million subscribers were added in January. The mobile consists of 1.27 million GSM subscribers and 0.50 million CDMA subscribers. During first 10 months 16.17 million mobile subscribers have been added.

Trai chairman Pradip Baijal said the country’s tele-density could grow three per cent next year if the Government gives some concessions to the industry in the Budget and another round of Access deficit Charge cut is made. “The tele-density grew 2 per cent last year and is expected to grow 2 per cent this year. We expect 3% growth next year. All the operators are expanding and moving to new areas aggressively,” Baijal said. India’s tele-density is at present at 8.59 per cent.

Twenty-five billion SMS were sent in FY 2006 compared to 12 billion in FY 2005. On an average, a subscriber sent 41 SMS per month during FY 2006, as compared to 31 in 2005.