Despite the ongoing economic slowdown, Indian telcos continue to expand rapidly. GSM players together added eight million new subscribers in the month of December, posting a growth of 3.25% in the month to reach 258 million users compared to 250 million users at the end of November 2008.
Highest growth of 4.78% was achieved in the Uttar Pradesh (East) circle followed by 4.29% in Tamil Naidu. Looking at individual companies, the highest growth was achieved by Bharti Airtel, which added 2.7 million new users to take its subscriber base to 87 million.
In the calendar year 2008, GSM players added 86 million new users to take subscribers base to 258 million from 172 million at the end of December 2007. The telecommunication industry has been posting high growth numbers over last few years and continuous growth has brushed aside the apprehensions that growth may start decelerating amidst the ongoing slowdown.