India's mobile network emerges world's largest with over 40 per cent annual growth

India's mobile phone network has emerged the largest in the world with 706.70 million wireless connections as of end-October 2010, even as the telecommunication network in the country grew over 40 per cent during 2010 with addition of 216.13 million connections.

As of 31 October 2010, total telephone connections in India stood at 742.13 million against 526 million as of 31 October 2009.

With monthly average additions of more than 17 million connections, the industry has surpassed the target of 600 million connections by the end of Eleventh Plan in February 2010 itself.

This rapid growth has been attributed to the opening of the sector and the entry of new players as also the consequent maximisation of consumer benefits by across the board fall in tariffs.

From only 54.6 million telephone subscribers in 2003, the number increased to 621.28 million at the end of March 2010 and further to 742.13 million at the end of October 2010, showing an addition of 120.85 million during the period from March 2010 to October 2010. 

Wireless telephone connections have contributed to this growth as the number of wireless connections rose from 3.57 million in March 2001 to 13.29 million in 2003, 101.86 million in March 2006, 584.32 million in March 2010 and 706.70 million at the end of October, 2010.

The year also witnessed two more telecom companies crossing the 100 million mark in terms of wireless connections. Bharti Airtel was the first Indian operator to achieve the landmark in 2009. It was followed by Vodafone and Reliance Communication in 2010.