Cell phone subscription crosses the million mark

India's cellular phone users crossed the million mark in November 1998.

At the end of November 1998, almost three years after the cell phones were allowed in India, the subscriber tally rose to 1.04 million.

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However, these subscriber figures bring little cheer to an industry burdened with payment obligations that it cannot meet.

"Subscriber growth, unaccompanied by higher revenues is no cause for euphoria," a senior industry official says.

Cellular operators say that over half of these subscribers pay their monthly bill of Rs 500 against the industry projections of Rs 2,500 per month at the time of the bidding.

- Compiled from the Indian media

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