Aircel records highest subscriber growth, but Airtlel still leading

Telecom service provider Aircel recorded the highest growth of 37.2 per cent among operators in 2009-10, while Bharti Airtel retained its leading position, according to a survey by industry journal Voice and Data.

Aircel, which recorded the highest growth among the top 10 telecom players, posted a revenue of Rs4,700 crore to move to the number eight slot, the survey revealed.

Bharti Airtel retained its leading position among telecom service providers and posted a growth of five per cent to end 2009-10 fiscal with revenues of Rs38,800 crore, the survey said.

Vodafone recorded 13.7 per cent growth to emerge as the third largest player with revenue of Rs23,200 crore, it added.

"Leading public sector telecom giant BSNL saw a drop in its revenue for the second consecutive year to post Rs 30,240 crore, a drop of 14 per cent, even though it retained the number two position among telecom players,'' the survey said. The company's mobile subscriber base grew by a third to touch 70 million, it found.

"Reliance Communications reported a negative growth of 3.5 per cent with revenue of Rs22,130 crore to occupy the number four slot," the survey said.