Bharti Airtel, Uninor top GSM user additions in May: COAI

NEW DELHI: Bharti Airtel added the largest number of GSM subscribers - 1.66 million - in May followed by Birla Group’s Idea Cellular and UK-based Vodafone with 1.16 million and 0.98 million new users, respectively, GSM industry body COAI ( Cellular Operators Association of India) said Tuesday.

Of the total 22 telecom circles, UP (East) circle has shown a maximum growth of 2.01 per cent subscribers in net additions while Bihar and Gujarat circles added 1.36per cent and 1.17 per cent new users in May as compared to previous month.

Delhi circle has demonstrated a growth of 0.58per cent, the industry body added.

As of May, the top three telcos — Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular - have garnered market shares of 28.41 per cent, 22.95 per cent and 18.79 per cent respectively, taking their subscribers to over 208 million, 168 million and 137 million, respectively.

Aircel added 0.9 million subscribers to take its total user base to 72 million.

Uninor, controlled by Norwegian firm Telenor, added 1.3 million subscribers to take its overall base to 37.8 million. Telenor plans to take complete ownership of Uninor by buying Lakshdeep Investments' 26 per cent stake for Rs 780 crore.