Telecom Density Up To 5% In 2002-03

Teledensity in rural areas has improved faster than urban areas, though the gap between the two has widened in favour of the urban centres.

While the number of phones per 100 people in rural areas rose 65.55 per cent to 1.49 at the end of 2002-03, compared with 0.9 in March 2001, teledensity in urban areas increased by 46.12 per cent to 15.15 at the end of 2002-03, against 10.37 in March 2001.

At the national level, the number of phones per 100 people increased to 5 at the end of 2002-03, compared with a teledensity of 3.64 at the end of 2000-01, an official press release said.

While Delhi leads with a teledensity of 26.85, Bihar is at the other end of the spectrum with 1.32. The other states with teledensity below the national average include Chattisgarh (1.39), Jharkhand (1.57), Assam (1.94), Uttar Pradesh (2.13), Orissa (2.22), northeastern states (2.70), Madhya Pradesh (2.88), Rajasthan (3.40), West Bengal (3.72) and Uttaranchal (3.95).

At the urban level, Himachal Pradesh has topped the list with a teledensity of 39.63 followed by Delhi at 30.18 and Punjab (25.66). Among the 23 circles, Kerala had the maximum rural penetration with a teledensity of 7.85, while Andaman and Nicobar Islands was second at 7.71.