Hutch continues on top in terms of subscriber growth

Hutchison has posted around 100 per cent rise in the number of subscribers in a year, the latest figures released by the Cellular Operators' Association of India (COAI) on Wednesday reveal.

Hutch reported 7.31 lakh subscribers in the Gujarat circle for the year ended September, 2003, compared with 3.70 lakh in the last year.

Idea, which had 2.13 lakh subscribers at the end of September, 2002, reported an increase of over 87,000 subscribers at 3.08 lakh by the end of this September. Hutch has a 49 per cent share in the market and Idea 21 per cent.

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL), the number two player in this circle with a 23 per cent share, reported a subscriber base of 4.11 lakh at the end of the last month against its 39,500 at the end of November, 2002, its first month of service in the circle.

Airtel once again failed to pick up momentum as even the latest figures reveal it only holds a seven per cent share in the Gujarat circle.

Airtel now has 1.13 lakh subscribers against the 31,867 it had at the end of September last year.

The total number of subscribers in the circle has increased to 15.63 lakh at the end of this September against 6.15 lakh during the last year.

While Idea added less than 3000 subscribers between this August and September, Hutch added over 16,000 subscribers in the last one month.

BSNL reported a significant rise during August-September, adding over 65,000 subscribers in the circle.

Airtel has added 6,000 subscribers in the last one month while during July, it added over 21,000 subscribers.