According to the statistics released by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) by quarter ending March, India has crossed the landmark figure of 400 million telecom subscribers and it stood at 429.7 million as against the 384.79 million subscriber during the quarter ending December 2008. It shows a substantial increase of 11.68 per cent.

The report added that wireless subscribers increased to 391.76 million as against 346.89 during the quarter ending December 2008, whereas wireline subscribers during the same period increased to 37.96 million from 37.90 million.

There has been a marginal decrease in rural wireline subscribers; they have decreased to 10.58 million from 10.68 million a decrease by 0.93 per cent. But there has been a considerable increase in the rural wireless subscribers; they have increased from 93.15 million to 109.71 million an increase of 17.77 per cent.

The number of PCOS (Public Call Office) across the country has shown a surge of 0.93 per cent, they have increased from 5.98 million to 6.20 million.

In case of CDMA the all India monthly blended ARPU slipped to Rs  99 from Rs 111. But postpaid ARPU was five times in comparison to prepaid ARPU. Industry experts have attributed waning significance of processing fee levied on recharge coupon or vouchers used by prepaid subscribers.               

The data released by TRAI also showed internet subscribers across the country has also increased, internet wireline subscribers has shown a growth of 5.30 per cent from 12.85 million to 13.54 million. In the same period broadband subscribers had shown a surge of 12.68 per cent.