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New Delhi, July 13 The GSM mobile industry continued to grow at a scorching pace with over 5.4 million new users in June. The All-India GSM subscriber base grew from 130.6 million in May 2007 to 136 million in June 2007. There was an overall growth of 4.12 per cent over the previous month. “GSM service providers are rapidly enhancing coverage and reach of service, which is getting reflected in the healthy subscriber growth,” said Mr. T.V. Ramachandran, Director-General, COAI.

Bharti Airtel is the market leader with 42.7 million subscribers. The company added 1.9 million new subscribers in June alone. Vodafone Essar, formerly Hutchison Essar, is at the number two slot with over 30 million subscribers, adding 1.5 million new users in June. This is the first time that Hutch subscribers are being reported under the Vodafone Essar name after the UK-based mobile giant acquired Hutchison’s stake. As per COAI’s report the company name has changed to Vodafone Essar across the country except for West Bengal including the Kolkata Metro Circle.

State-owned BSNL, whose expansion plans has run into rough weather with its 45.5-million line contract delayed by more than a year, has added only about 4 lakh new subscribers and is at the number three spot with just over 27 million mobile users.

Among all circles, Category B circles witnessed the highest rate of growth at nearly 5 per cent. Among the Category B circles, the highest growth was recorded by the UP (West) Circle closely followed by West Bengal and Andaman & Nicobar circles.

In terms of growth, Category B circles were closely followed by Category A circles, which recorded a healthy growth of 4.1 per cent over the previous month.

Category C circles witnessed a growth of 3.2 per cent and the subscriber base in Metro saw the lowest growth by 3.1 per cent.

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5.4 m GSM subscribers added in June

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