GSM operators add 5.75mn users in Oct; total base at 159.7 mn

NEW DELHI: Sustaining its growth momentum, the GSM industry added 5.75 million subscribers in October, even as the total mobile user base reached 159.7 million.

The industry had added 5.6 million users in the month of September.

According to figures released by Cellular Operators Association of India on Wednesday, Bharti Airtel maintained its leadership position with a market share of 31.88 per cent although its net subscriber additions during the month declined marginally at 2.03 million, against 2.06 million in September. The company has a total subscriber base of 50.90 million across the country.

Vodafone-Essar added 1.52 million new users, garnering a market share of 23.28 per cent with an overall subscriber base of 37.1 million.

After reporting a dip in subscriber additions for last few months, state-run telecom major BSNL has added 7.2 lakh users in October as against 5.9 lakh in September. The company now has a market share of 19.43 per cent and a total subscriber base of over 31 million users.

Aditya Birla promoted Idea Cellular attained a total subscriber base of 19.42 million with a net addition of 7.5 lakh during the month.

Regional operator Aircel reported a user-base of 8.52 million, while Spice has 3.57 million subscribers.

MTNL, which provides mobile services in Delhi and Mumbai only, has a total user-base of 2.82 million at the end of October.