Industry Profile Airtel
INDUSTRY PROFILE
INTRODUCTION
The Indian telecommunication industry, with about 600.69 million mobile phoneconnections as of February 2010, is the third largest telecommunication network in the worldand the second largest in terms of number of wireless connections of 563.73 million. TheIndian telecom industry is one of the fastest growing in the world and is projected that Indiawill have 'billion plus' mobile users by 2015. Projection by several leading globalconsultancies is that India’s telecom network will overtake China’s in the next 10 years. Forthe past decade or so, telecommunication activities have gained momentum in India. Effortshave been made from both governmental and non-governmental platforms to enhance theinfrastructure. The idea is to help modern telecommunication technologies to serve allsegments of India’s culturally diverse society, and to transform it into a country oftechnologically aware people.
EVOLUTION OF THE INDUSTRY AND MILESTONES
WIRELESS SERVICES IN INDIA
The Mobile telecommunications system in India is the second largest in the world andit was thrown open to private players in the 1990s. The country is divided into multiplezones, called circles (roughly along state boundaries). Government and several privateplayers run local and long distance telephone services. Competition has caused prices to dropand calls across India are one of the cheapest in the world. The rates are supposed to go downfurther with new measures to be taken by the Information Ministry. The mobile service hasseen phenomenal growth since 2000. In September 2004, the numbers of mobile phoneconnections have crossed fixed-line connections. India primarily follows the GSM mobilesystem, in the 900 MHz band. Recent operators also operate in the 1800 MHz band. Thedominant players are Airtel, Aircel Uninor, Reliance Infocomm, Vodafone, Idea cellular andBSNL/MTNL. There are many smaller players, with operations in only a few states.International roaming agreements exist
INTRODUCTION
The Indian telecommunication industry, with about 600.69 million mobile phoneconnections as of February 2010, is the third largest telecommunication network in the worldand the second largest in terms of number of wireless connections of 563.73 million. TheIndian telecom industry is one of the fastest growing in the world and is projected that Indiawill have 'billion plus' mobile users by 2015. Projection by several leading globalconsultancies is that India’s telecom network will overtake China’s in the next 10 years. Forthe past decade or so, telecommunication activities have gained momentum in India. Effortshave been made from both governmental and non-governmental platforms to enhance theinfrastructure. The idea is to help modern telecommunication technologies to serve allsegments of India’s culturally diverse society, and to transform it into a country oftechnologically aware people.
EVOLUTION OF THE INDUSTRY AND MILESTONES
WIRELESS SERVICES IN INDIA
The Mobile telecommunications system in India is the second largest in the world andit was thrown open to private players in the 1990s. The country is divided into multiplezones, called circles (roughly along state boundaries). Government and several privateplayers run local and long distance telephone services. Competition has caused prices to dropand calls across India are one of the cheapest in the world. The rates are supposed to go downfurther with new measures to be taken by the Information Ministry. The mobile service hasseen phenomenal growth since 2000. In September 2004, the numbers of mobile phoneconnections have crossed fixed-line connections. India primarily follows the GSM mobilesystem, in the 900 MHz band. Recent operators also operate in the 1800 MHz band. Thedominant players are Airtel, Aircel Uninor, Reliance Infocomm, Vodafone, Idea cellular andBSNL/MTNL. There are many smaller players, with operations in only a few states.International roaming agreements exist