6.4 mn new phones in April-July

Boosted by a major contribution from the private mobile telephony sector, India's tele-density touched 7.67 per cent with the addition of over 6.4 million telephones in the April-July period, taking the total number of phones to 82.9 million.

Over 1.9 million phones were added alone during July, an official statement said. More than 90 per cent of the additional phones during the current year are accounted for by the mobile phones.

The number of mobile phones including WLL(M) as on July end is about 39.5 million. Private sector has played a major role by providing almost 85 per cent of the expansion during these four months.

The private sector has so far provided 35.4 million phones as end July contributing 43 per cent in the total phones in the country.

However, in the rural areas, only Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd has provided additional direct exchange lines and village public telephony.