Telecom Lead India: Uninor has added 17.8 million mobile subscribers
in its 13 circles in 2011, ahead of wireless operators such as Idea Cellular,
Reliance Communications, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone, BSNL, Aircel, MTS India, etc.
In 13 telecom circles, where Uninor operates, Idea Cellular and
Reliance Communications added 16.9 million users each, while Vodafone and
Bharti Airtel added 16.6 million subscribers in 2011. BSNL’s net addition was
8.3 million, while Aircel and MTS India added 7.7 million and 5.4 million,
respectively.
Uninor
leads mobile user net additions in January
Uninor has added 2.49 million users in January 2011, taking
its total subscriber base to 38.79 million. Though February will be crucial for
the operator as uncertain conditions may prompt telecom subscribers to switch
to competition, Uninor management is confident.
We will be adding similar growth in February as well.
Despite current negative messages and competitive activities, we will be ahead
of competition thanks to our focus and competitive rates to our customers,” said
Sigve Brekke, executive vice president, Telenor Group and head of region Asia.
India
adds 140 million telecom users in 2011
Telephone user base in India has gone up to 926.53 million
in 2011 from 787.28 million in 2010, adding 139.25 million new users in 12
months. Out of this, wireless subscription touched 893.84 million at the end of
December 2011 from 752.19 million in December 2010. Active wireless
subscribers on the date of peak VLR in December 2011 are 646.77 million. 529.22
million subscribers were active subscribers in VLR in December 2010.
Uninor
urges TRAI to examine lack of cost-oriented wholesale market in Indian telecom
industry
Recently, Uninor urged Telecom Regulatory Authority of India
(TRAI) to ensure that adequate safeguards are instituted against predatory
retail pricing and competitive distortions of wholesale services.
Uninor said any requirement for the introduction of retail price ceilings is a
clear sign that the basic competitive elements are not functioning optimally.
In this regard, Uninor has expressed its view on the
following issues which has a significant impact on the ability for smaller
operators to compete effectively: Pricing of wholesale voice termination above
cost; Pricing of wholesale SMS termination above cost; Pricing of on-net
origination and termination voice/SMS for own retail; customers below the
wholesale rates offered to other operators; and Terms and conditions for POI
establishment.
Baburajan K
