Telephone subscription up 2.63 percent in 2015's first quarter

The number of telephone subscribers in India increased from 970.97 million at the end of December 2014 to 996.49 million at the end of March 2015, registering a growth of 2.63 percent over the previous quarter, official data showed here on Wednesday.

"This reflects year-on-year (y-o-y) growth of 6.80 percent over the same quarter of last year. The overall tele-density in India increased from 77.58 as on December 31, 2014 to 79.38 as on March 31, 2015," said the data released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).

Subscription in urban areas increased from 572.29 million at the end of December 2014 to 577.18 million at the end of March 2015. Rural subscription during the period increased from 398.68 million to 419.31 million.

Out of the total subscription, the share of the rural areas increased from 41.06 percent at the end of December 2014 to 42.08 percent at the end of March 2015.

Wireless tele-density increased from 75.43 at the end of December 2014 to 77.27 at the end of March 2015.

Wireline subscriber base further declined from 27 million at the end of December 2014 to 26.59 million at the end of March 15, registering a decline of 1.50 percent.

The total number of internet subscribers has increased from 267.39 million at the end of December 2014 to 302.35 million at the end of March 2015, registering a quarterly growth rate of 13.08 percent.

"Out of 302.35 million, wired internet subscribers are 19.07 million and wireless internet subscribers are 283.29 million," the statement added.