GSM operators cumulatively added a total of 8.9 million new subscribers in April slightly down QoQ from 11.2 million new subscribers added in March. This takes the total tally of GSM subscribers to 297 million connections.
Segmented GSM operators marketshare:
Bharti Airtel is still the leading GSM player in India with total subscriber base of 96.7 million with Net additions of 2.77 million mobile users in April.Vodafone plays second fiddle having 71.5 million mobile users in India with net additions of 2.77 million Subscribers.
Company wise additions:
| Company | Net subscriber additions(in Mn.) | Current subscribers count (in Mn.) |
| Bharti airtel | 2.81 | 96.7 |
| Vodafone | 2.77 | 71.5 |
| Bsnl | 1.03 | 47.72 |
| IDEA | 1.15 | 44.17 |
| Aircel | 1.1 | 19.6 |
The major growth in GSM additions this year have came largely from new GSM entrants like Reliance Telecom etc. which is eroding market share of other telcos.
Although the growth is seen slowing down at a time when economy is on the brink of recovery it is also due to large base it has amassed over the year.
In the meanwhile ,TRAI has notified the appointment of J.S. Sarma as new TRAI Chairman, a former Chairman of the Telecom Commission. This appointment could see introduction of various other initiatives by TRAI.
Going forward the main drivers for Telecom growth would be 3G and reduction in tariffs.
I guess there’s nothing to worry about this figure,the growth is stable with little fluctuation,