India rings in with 200 million phones

Posted by Budi Putra on February 20th, 2007 filed in Asia, Asia: China, Asia: India, Asian Market, Breaking News, Business, Business Briefing, Cellular Phone, Telco: 3G W-CDMA, Telco: GSM, Telecommunication

Asia is really the next big market in the world’s telecommunications business. At the current growth rate, there will be half a billion mobile subscribers in the country by 2010. With 150 million subscribers but market penetration of still only 15 percent, India is already the world`s fourth-biggest mobile market behind China, the United States and Russia.

Telecom numbers are not just talking, they’re talking big in India. According to latest figures available with the telecom ministry and TRAI, India will have hit the magical figure of 200 million phones even as you read this story. This includes wireless (GSM, CDMA, WLL-F) and fixed-line phones.

In mobile subscribers, India now ranks fourth behind China, USA and Russia which have approximately 450 million, 233 million and 160 million subscribers, respectively. Small wonder Vodafone coughed up a whopping $18 billion-plus to get into the desi market.

Mobile telephony is the real showstopper, outpacing fixed-line phones by over four times — telecom companies are eyeing 400 million phones by 2010. It is expected that before 2007 is over, India will have 250 million mobile phones, taking the total number of phones closer to 300 million.

The 200-million mark translates into a tele-density of about 18 phones per 100 people. “This excellent progress is a result of the strong spirit of cooperation and commitment that’s been building for the last three years between government and industry,” said telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran, speaking to TOI on phone from the US. “The government has provided the enabling environment for growth.”

At the end of December 2006, India had 149.50 million wireless phones and 40.43 million fixed-line phones. This number grew to 196.71 million by January 2007.

With India now adding more than six million new mobile phones per month, the 200 million mark is being crossed mid-February.

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