India's tele-density rose to 7.85 per cent in August with the addition of over 18 lakh (1.8 million) phones during the month taking the total number of phones to 8.48 crore (84.8 million).
During April-August of the current year, 82.95 lakh (8.295 million) telephones have been added. Of these, in the month of August alone, more than 18 lakh phones were provided. With this addition, the total number of phones has touched 8.48 crore, an official statement said in New Delhi.
The tele-density was seven per cent in March 2004. The mix of mobile and fixed phones accounted for more than 90 per cent of the additional phones during the current year. The number of mobile phones (including WLL-M) as on August 31, 2004 was over 4.11 crore (41.1 million).
The private sector played a major role by accounting for almost 80 per cent of the expansion during the five months.
The sector has so far provided 3.67 crore (36.7 million) phones as on August 31, 2004, which is 43 per cent of the total phones in the country.
In rural telephony, BSNL remains as the main contributor. In the rural areas, only Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited has provided additional Direct Exchange Lines and VPTs. As against 2,55,467 additional telephones provided in rural areas during April-August 2003, BSNL has provided 3,77,346 telephones during the current year.