NEW DELHI, INDIA:The expansion of the telecom sector was further consolidated with an increase of 175.41 lakh in the number of telecom subscribers during the month of November 2009. As a result, the total number of telephones in the country is 5,432.00 lakh as on 30th November 2009; as compared to 3741.26 lakh as on 30th November 2008.
 
The Wireless (GSM+CDMA) segment has registered an increase of 176.39 lakh. The Wire-line segment has declined by 0.98 lakh respectively during the month of November 2009.

Tele-density

The overall tele-density improved further to 46.32 per cent in November 2009 as compared to 32.34 per cent  as on November 2008.

Growth trend – Circle wise
 
In the Wireless (GSM+CDMA) segment, only UP (East) telecom circle added more than nineteen lakh subscribers during November 2009.In the Wire-line segment, only Delhi telecom circles added above ten thousands subscribers during November 2009.
  
Broadband Connections 

The growth of broadband connections improved further and at the end of September 2009, 7.21 lakh broadband connections were provided. Further, the total number of existing ISP licences is 370 at the end of October 2009.
 
Rural Telephony
 
Under Bharat Nirman Programme, 408 VPTs were provided in the month of October 2009. Thus, out of the targeted 62,302 villages, a total of 60,208 villages have been provided with VPTs till October 2009.

(PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU)