In last few decade India emerge as a fastest growing Telecom market in the world, India is the worlds second-largest telecommunications market with 899.86 million [ TRAI QE Sept
2013 Report ] subscribers and has the second-largest telecom network in the world, Third-highest number of internet users with 210.38 million internet subscriptions and affordable service provider in World.
Development of Telecom Service in India:
This growth is not happen certainly it take a long time and developed step by step, here we divide this stage of development in two part for our convinces first step is Pre - Independence development and second step is post independence development
Pre Independence Development :In 1851 telecom service was stared in India by establishing first telegraph line between Kolkatta to Diamond harbor, this line is used by East India Company for administrative purpose only, At this moment British realize the importance of Telecom Service and started a separate department of telecom in 1854, and as a part of extension this service, British company "Oriental Telephone Company Ltd" started Telephone exchange in four city Madras ( Chennai) Kolkatta,Mumbai and Ahmadabad, finally on 28 th Jan 1882 formal telephone service started with 93 subscriber.
Post Independence Development:In 1943 Indian government nationalize the Telecom Service. after that in 1975 India started a independent Department of Telecom (DoT),
For further development and research in Telecom Service India establish Center for Development of Telematics (C-DoT) in August 1984 By the inspiration of
Mr Sam Pitroda ( Father of Indian Telecom Revolution).1 April 1986 India start two new services MTNL( Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd) and VSNL (Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd)
In 1990 Telecommunication Sector is opened for private sector and In 1995 Govt of India started a authorized organization named as TRAI
( Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) for the regulation of Telecom Service, since telecom service regulated by TRAI.
On 1st Oct 2000 Government transform Indias Department of Telecom in to BSNL
( Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd) which provide service to whole Country expect Delhi and Mumbai,
Before 2009 3G service in India is only provide by BSNL and MTNL but after 2009 Govt permit Private Company for 3G services
1 Sept 2010 3G spectrum was sold to private sector for 20 years.
Distribution of Telecom Service in India :Telephone Subscriber:Over the last ten years Indian telecom service was quickly progressing, on the sophisticated power of this advancement, Today India stands second in World after the China with its 899.86 million phone subscriber amidst these 870.58 millions are wireless Subscriber and 29.28 millions are landlines subscriber, and every month 8.35 million new mobile subscriber will be added.
Teledensity: Teledensity is a important indicator for any country to represent the growth of Telecom Service, According to this India has 73.01 Teledensity - 144.02 in Urban area & 41.70. in Rural Area.
Mobile Manufacturer:Availability of affordable smartphones and lower rates are expected to drive growth in the Indian telecom industry.
Telecom Service Provider:The booming telecom industry has been attracting large amount of investments in the country.
Revenue:The sectors Gross revenue grew by 0.33% per cent to reach 57452.56 Crore in Sept 2013. Wireless and wireline revenue increased at a Adjusted growth rate (AGR) of 0.44 per cent to reach 38810.56 Crore over QE Sept 2013.
Encouragement by Government;The Government of India (GOI) has been proactive in its efforts to transform India into a global telecommunication hub.
Gramin Sanchar Sevak Yojna: This service is started with the co operation of Indian Post Service, Mobile Phone Service is given by Postman.
Mobile Number Portability; started in 25 Nov 2010
Telecom Finance Co-Operation :
For given a financial help to Telecom Project, government decided to start SPV-9 Special Purpose Vehicle named as TFC -
(Telecom Finance Co-Operation)In 2010 Govt start a new department TDSAT
(Telecom Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal) by changing TRAI act
National Telecom Policy 2011: Some Key features of NTP -2011
One Nation One License
By the end of 2017 govt decided to create additional new spectrum of 300MHz, and 200 MHz in 2020,
FDI in Telecom Service:The government has allowed foreign direct investment (FDI) of up to 74 % in basic and cellular, national/international long distance, unified access,and V-Sat services as well as public mobile radio trucked services. FDI of up to100 % is permitted for infrastructure providers offering electronic mail, dark fiber and voice mail.
The surge in the subscriber base has necessitated a network expansion for covering a wider area, so there is need of creating a significant investment in telecom infrastructure.
Source: Performanance Indicator Report QE Sept - TRAI