(a) the extent of growth of cellular telephone subscribers increased in the country during the last three years, State-wise;
(b) whether the Government have assessed the projections regarding growth in number of said subscribers in the country as on date;
(c) if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and
(d) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to encourage faster growth of cellular sector in the country?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI TAPAN SIKDAR)
(a) The subscriber base of Cellular Mobile Telephone Service (CMTS) in the country as on March, 1998, March, 1999 and March, 2000 (service area wise) is annexed.
(b) to (d): The Government have not assessed the projections of cellular subscribers. However, Government proposes to award licences for CMTS to fourth cellular operator and fill up certain vacant slots by inviting bids for the same to achieve faster growth and more competition in the field. Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL)/ Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) have also earlier been given licences for CMTS to provide the cellular service in the country.
SUBSCRIBER BASE OF CELLULAR MOBILE TELEPHONE SERVICE
S. No. Service Area NO. OF SUBSCRIBERS NO. OF SUBSCRIBERS NO. OF SUBSCRIBERS (Meto/Telecom Circles) (MARCH, 1998) (MARCH, 1999) (MARCH, 2000)
1. DELHI 215144 215637 332330
2. MUMBAI 243028 228297 319309
3. CALCUTTA 51166 39777 90036
4. CHENNAI 42419 35832 54256
5. Andhra Pradesh 37653 73991 105469 6. Assam 2259 3869 5823
7 Bihar 7379 19197 21901
8. Gujarat 39600 81499 146175
9. Haryana 13975 18411 25047 10. Himachal Pradeh 2080 3360 5048 11. Karnataka 43530 76984 127967 12. Kerala 21380 45623 106560 13. Maharashtra 44859 97204 115086 14. Madhya Pradesh 12234 20814 40544 15. North East Nil 556 722 16. Orissa 3578 9933 9139 17. Punjab 16977 55425 94403 18. Rajasthan 13011 16126 20025 19. Tamilnadu 11312 25121 90956 20. Uttar Pradesh (W) 36280 74713 55950 21. Uttar Pradesh (E) 23049 54262 113587 22. West Bengal 1403 2947 3978
TOTAL 8,82,316 11,99,578 18,84,311