GSM operators reported combined subscriber net-adds of 6.6M in May versus 6.5M in April assuming that Reliance Telecom’s net adds in May were same (342,000) as in April (the numbers have not been disclosed yet). GSM mobile subscriber base has now crossed the 200 M mark and now stands at 206M.
Bharti Airtel reported 2.46M net adds in May vs 2.39M in April. At this rate, Bharti’s wireless subscribers will exceed our Mar-09 forecast of 89.1M. Aircel is gaining traction; has commenced operations in Kolkata circle and reported a 55,030 subs addition in the first month.
Total GSM Wirless Subscribers at the end of May-2008, operator wise
Bharti Airtel 66,826,000
Vodafone India 47,467,000
BSNL 36,997,000
Idea Cellular 26,141,000
Aircel 11,492,000
Reliance Telecom 7,701,000
MTNL 3,350,000
Others 5,829,000
Separately, if Idea Cellular wins Spice Telecom bid, it will inch closer to BSNL with a subscriber base of 30.63M and entry into the powerful circles of Karnataka and Punjab with spectrum in the most sought after band, 900MHz.