The GSM industry has witnessed the highest ever subscriber additions in the month of September 2006. The GSM industry set a new record by adding 4.4 million subscribers in September 06 (which is even higher than the 4.2 million subscribers added in the month of August 06).

The GSM subscriber base has touched the 91 million as on end Sept 06 as compared to 86.6 million as on end August 06.

Mr. T.V. Ramachandran, Director General, COAI stated that "the GSM industry and COAI are delighted at the continued upswing in the subscriber additions".  Mr Ramachandran added that "this is a strong evidence of the fact that GSM continues to be the predominant technology choice of the masses"

Among all circles, Category C circles witnessed the highest rate of growth at 6.4%, followed by Category B circles at 5.6%.

Within the Category C circles, the highest growth was recorded by the Assam Circle (8.8%) followed by North East (8.2%).

Within the Category B circles, M.P. and Haryana recorded the highest growth at 9.6% and 8.9% respectively.

Category A circles also witnessed a healthy growth of 5.25% in Sept. 06.  A.P. recorded the highest growth of 6.5% followed by Maharashtra at 5.76%.

The Metro subscribers also grew by 3.35% over the previous month. Kolkatta recorded the highest growth at (4.7%) followed by Chennai (4%).

Sourced from: COAI