Telecom imports rise to nearly Rs 54,000 cr in 2012-13

Data showed that Rs 25,835 cr worth of telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks were imported in FY13

Telecom equipment imports, led by mobile phones, rose to Rs 53,971.01 crore in the 2012-13, Parliament was informed today.

The telecom industry had imported telecom gears valued at Rs 52,441.23 crore in FY 2011-12, according to data shared by Minister of State for Communications and IT Milind Deora in Rajya Sabha.

To a particular question on share of imports in total telecom requirement, the Minister said: "Since the total requirement of telecom sector pertains largely to the requirement of the private sector service providers, the information is not maintained," Deora said.

The data showed that Rs 25,835.15 crore worth of "telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks" were imported in FY 2013 compared to Rs 27,715.83 crore such phones imported in FY 2012.

While fixed line connections in the country is on decline, the data showed imports of line telephone sets with cordless handsets increased to Rs 258.72 crore in FY 2013 from Rs 249.27 crore in FY 2012.

The data also reflects slow expansion of telecom network. The import of base stations (systems installed on mobile towers) reduced to Rs 202.84 crore in FY 2013 from Rs 772.34 crore in FY 2012 and Rs 1,785.62 crore in FY'11.

Deora also said the telecom subscriber base in the country reached 90.3 crore by end of June 2013 and the "annual revenue of telecom service providers" reached to Rs 1,79,914 crore in FY 2012 from Rs 87,794 crore in FY 2006.