India's telecom industry grew by an impressive 28.59 per cent last fiscal with the subscriber base nearing the 100 million mark aided by cheaper call tariffs.
During the last quarter of 2004-05, the growth in telecom services was 5.95 per cent with subscribers base increasing from 92.88 million in December 2004 to 98.41 million in March 2005, according to figures released by telecom regulator TRAI.
The subscribers of fixed services (fixed line and WLL) increased from 44.87 million in December 2004 to 46.19 million in March 2005. Mobile subscribers based grew from 48.01 to 52.22 million during the same period. Private players increased their share in telecom sector marginally from 46 to 47 per cent.
PSU telecom companies, however, increased their share in mobile services from 20 to 21 per cent. India crossed the 100-million telephone subscribers-mark in the current fiscal 2005-06 in May.