In October 2008, India added 10.42 million wireless subscribers – up from 10.07 million added in September. The wireless subscriber base is now 325.73 million, up from 315.24 million at the end of September. Importantly, and as expected, India crossed the 5 million Broadband connections mark, ending October with 5.05 million Broadband subs, up 150,000 for the month.
The teledensity is now 31.50%, though the gradual decline in wireline isn’t helping.
Download for October 2008:
– CDMA Circle and Operator Data
– GSM Circle and Operator Data
– TRAI Report On Broadband and Wireless
When Will India Reach 10 Million Broadband Subscribers?
We’ve done some projections for when India will hit 10 million subscribers, taking two situations – if the average broadband subscriber addition is 173,000 per month (average of last six) and if the growth in broadband subscriber base is 3.92% (average of last six months):
This situation will obviously change as wireless broadband takes root – both over 3G and WiMax. Broadband over EVDO is already operational in Bangalore, and from what we’ve heard – in Hyderabad. One should also keep in mind that there may be an overlap between wireless broadband users and wireline – the early adopters are likely to have both.
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1 Comments until now.
The key to growth of broadband is the induction of WiMAX in the country. Wireline based growth of internet has been limited over the years and there is no indication that the trend has reversed.
All eyes are now on the auction of 3G and WiMAX spectrum the process for which begins in Jan 2009.
Considering the types of reality shows which the telecom sector has presented in the recent past ( with GSM licensees dashing down from 4th Floor to ground for first come forst served), 3G and WiMAX may hold many surprises.
It does not help that Vodafone has been slapped with $ 2 Billion notice, however. This will make many overseas comanies to revist the tax haven laws, which is not easy in the December season, when the concerned people are in tax heavens but for a different reason.
Also what sours the taste is that some Indian comanies have acquired the liking for for bidding and then selling off equity stakes, spectrum et el.
If overseas buyers need to be cautious, it is bad news for such players. In all it should be interesting to watch!