=> 10.35 million Wireless Subscribers added in November 2008.

=> Broadband subscribers reaches 5.28 million mark.

=> Tele-density reaches 32.34% mark.

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued a Press Note as follows:

Salient features

Total 10.18 million telephone connections (Wireline and Wireless) have been added during November 2008 as compared to 10.29 million connections added in October 2008. The total number of telephone connections reaches 374.13 million at the end of November 2008 as compared to 363.95 million in October 2008. With this growth, the overall tele-density has reached 32.34% at the end of November 2008 as against 31.50% in October 2008.

The total wireless subscribers (GSM, CDMA & WLL(F)) base stood at 336.08 million at the end of November 2008. A total of 10.35 million wireless subscribers have been added during the month of November 2008 as against 10.42 million wireless subscribers added during the month of October 2008. Circle-wise wireless subscriber base of service providers is given at Annexure-I.

In the wireline segment, the subscriber base has decreased to 38.05 million in the month of November 2008 as against 38.22 million subscribers in October 2008 registering a drop of 0.17 million. Circle-wise wireline subscriber base of service providers is given at Annexure-II.

Comparison table of subscriber base during corresponding periods of 2007 and 2008 is shown below:

(Subscribers in Million)

2007						2008
	As on 1.1.07	As on 31.10.07	As on 30.11.07	% Growth during 1.1.07- 30.11.07	Monthly Addition In Nov'07	As on 1.1.08	As on 31.10.08*	As on 30.11.08*	% Growth during 1.1.08-30.11.08	Monthly Addition in Nov'08
Wireless	149.62	217.14	225.46	50.68	8.32	233.63	325.73	336.08	43.85	10.35
Wireline	40.30	39.41	39.31	-2.45	-0.1	39.25	38.22	38.05	-3.05	-0.17
Total	189.92	256.55	264.77	39.41	8.22	272.88	363.95	374.13	37.10	10.18

* The data is tentative.

Broadband (¡Ý 256 Kbps download) Growth: Total Broadband subscribers base has reached 5.28 million by the end of November 2008 as compared to 5.05 million by the end of October 2008.

Comparison table of broadband subscriber's growth during corresponding periods of 2007 and 2008 is shown below:

(Subscribers in Million)

2007					2008
As on 1.1.07	As on 31.10.07	As on 30.11.07	% Growth during 1.1.07- 30.11.07	Monthly Addition In Nov'07	As on 1.1.08	As on 31.10.08*	As on 30.11.08*	% Growth during 1.1.08-30.1.08	Monthly Addition in Nov' 08
2.10	2.69	2.87	36.66	0.18	3.13	5.05	5.28	68.69	0.23

* The data is tentative.

Contact details in case of any clarification:

Shri S.K. Gupta, Advisor (CN), TRAI

Mahanagar Doorsanchar Bhawan

Jawahar Lal Nehru Marg, New Delhi-110002

Tel. No. 011-2321 7914

Fax: No. 011-2321 1998

e-mail: [email protected], or [email protected]

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India

Tele-density increase signals higher telecom penetration as wireless growth outpaces a modest wireline decline. Telecom penetration rose in November 2008 to 32.34% as total telephone connections reached 374.13 million, led by a wireless base of 336.08 million with 10.35 million wireless additions; wireline connections fell slightly to 38.05 million. Broadband subscriptions ( 256 Kbps) increased to 5.28 million. Comparative year-to-date and monthly tables for 2007-2008 are provided and the data are marked tentative with contact details for clarification.