(a) whether there has been a tremendous growth in the telecommunication sector in recent years;
(b) if so, the details thereof during the last three years;
(c) whether the indigenous manufacturing industry has not been adequately encouraged despite
growth in telecommunication sector; and
(d) if so, the reasons therefor and the action taken by the Government in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (DR. SHAKEEL AHMAD)
(a) Yes, Sir.
(b) The number of telephone connections in the country have become more than double during the
last three years. Year-wise details of growth in telephone connections and tele-density are as follows:
Telephone connections Growth Tele-density (in Percentage) (in lakhs) (per 100 population) As on 31.3.2001 362.9 - 3.53 As on 31.3.2002 449.7 23.9 4.29 As on 31.3.2003 546.2 21.5 5.11 As on 31.3.2004 765.4 40.1 7.02