Tuesday, March 22 2005 15:53 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The total subscriber base of fixed and mobile telephone services grew by 7 per cent in the quarter October-December 2004 to 92.88 million from 86.86 million in September 2004, according to a TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Act of India) quarterly performance indicator.

The growth on annual basis of the fixed and mobile telephone subscriber base from December 2003 to December 2004 was more than 31 per cent, said TRAI in a press statement.

The subscribers of fixed service line (fixed line and WLL-F) during the quarter increased to 44.87 million from 43.87 million in the previous quarter.

Mobile services (GSM and CDMA) subscriber base increased to 48 million in the quarter ended December 2004 from 43 million in the previous quarter, it added.

Mobile subscribers showed a growth rate of 11.68 per cent during the quarter, TRAI said adding the annual growth rate (from December 2003 to December 2004) for the segment was 68.82 per cent.

The number of VPTs added during the quarter was 13,152 making a cumulative total of 5,37,238 VPTS in the country, it said.

PCO numbers registered a 11.64 per cent growth during the quarter bringing the total in the country to 25,31,312.

The average per minute charge for mobile service during the quarter declined by 58 per cent to Rs 1.20 in comparison to Rs 1.90 in the previous quarter, it added.