COAI Report: Mobile Subscribers Base Grows to 1,004.08 Million in July 2018

MUMBAI:
COAI, the apex industry association representing the country’s major Telecom, Internet, Technology & Digital Services companies, released the latest mobile subscriber numbers, for the month ending, July 2018. As per the data, India’s private telecom service providers (COAI member TSPs) have a total of 1,004.08 million mobile subscribers. This includes subscriber figures of RJio as of June 2018 (Source: TRAI).
Amongst the individual companies, Bharti Airtel Ltd. continues to hold the top position, with total mobile subscribers reaching 344.88 million. Airtel is followed by Vodafone India Ltd, which ended at 223.34 million subscribers.
The report also provides mobile subscriber numbers for individual circles. UP (East) circle remained at the top with a total of 86.74 million subscribers.
Talking about the increase in the subscriber base, Rajan S Mathews, Director General, COAI, stated, “India is today at the cusp of digital revolution, buoyed by the Government’s Digital India initiative and other programs. As the country prepares itself for next-gen technologies such as 5G, the role of the telecom sector with further evolve and advance. The Government and the industry is working in tandem to ensure last mile connectivity to every person, which in turn will open up a plethora of opportunities for everybody. The National Digital Communications Policy 2018 had also recommended several measures to alleviate the financial distress, the sector is reeling under. The growth seen in mobile subscriber base this month is encouraging, and the industry is working ensure that connectivity reaches the farthest corners of the country.
Mobile connectivity and data services are imperative in the goal to bridge the digital divide in India. With these tools, we can move towards a truly equitable and democratic nation. The telecom industry, therefore, deserves an urgent and immediate intervention to encourage policy and regulatory stability, and facilitate growth, innovation and investment in the sector in view of the mounting financial debt and debilitating financial health of the industry. The industry remains committed towards working for a fully connected and digitally empowered India. Furthering the Prime Minister’s vision of building a Digital India, in order to empower the country’s citizens by giving them access to information via the Internet and crucial government services.