The number of cellular subscribers in the county doubled to 1,51,48,796 at the end of June from 73,39,228 at the end of June 2002.

According to the Cellular Operators' Association of India, major growth was observed in the 'B' circle which has witnessed an almost 300 per cent rise on a year-on-year basis.

According to COAI figures, Hutchison and Bharti Cellular were the top gainers in metros and 'A' circle. Idea Cellular and BPL Mobile failed to post any significant growth during the year.

Reliance Telecom, which provides cellular services in 'B' and 'C' circles, has witnessed a significant growth with the company witnessing a 70 per cent growth in the Bihar circle.

In the metros, Bharti has 10,68,447 subscribers at the end of June against 6,65,023 subscribers during the same period of last year. Hutchison has added 2,27,409 subscribers in the last one year.

Its subscriber base in Delhi touched 7,21,396 at the end of June. Hutchison almost doubled its subscriber base in Gujarat to 6,02,104 in June from 3,30,381 in June 2002.

The subscriber base of Bharti was at 74,975 in Gujarat, 3,07,230 subscribers for Bharat Sanchar Nigam and 2,66,222 for Idea.

In Mumbai BPL Mobile has added 1,39,823 subscribers in the last one year to 6,48,043 by the end of June 2003, against 5,08,220 subscribers in June 2002.

Hutch has crossed the seven-lakh subscriber mark in Mumbai with a total subscriber base of 7,69,835 (5,03,558) at the end of June 2003.

Bharti has almost doubled its subscriber base in Kolkata by the end of June at 2,31,263 against 1,28,609 at the end of June 2002. The subscriber base of RPG Cellular in Chennai stood at 1,79,639 against 1,31,782 in June 2002.

Bharti managed to rope in 63,900 subscribers in the last one year. Escotel in Kerala (B circle) witnessed a decline in its subscriber base. Its base at the end of June 2003 stood at 2,48,392 against 2,50,341 in 2002.

BPL Cellular also witnessed a decline in its subscriber base. BSNL, a new entrant in this circle, posted significant gains with 2,64,945 subscribers against 64,950 subscribers of Bharti Cellular.

In Assam, which comes under the 'C' circle, Reliance Telecom has added more than 11,000 subscribers during the last one year.

At the end of June 2003, its subscriber base touched 43,894 against 32,423 in June 2002. Its subscriber base in Madhya Pradesh stood just over 22,000 at the end of June 2003.

Bharti Cellular was a major gainer in this circle with its base touching 45,000 in the last one-year.

In the Andhra Pradesh circle, Bharti Mobile has come out a clear winner at the end of June taking the number one position from Idea.

While Idea stands with 3,04,295 subscribers in this circle against 2,84,565 in June 2002, Bharti is now providing services to 3,62,027 subscribers in this circle, an addition of 86,000.

Dialling up across the country

• Hutchison and Bharti Cellular were the top gainers in metros and 'A' circle.
• Reliance Telecom, which provides cellular services in 'B' and 'C' circles, has witnessed a significant growth.
• In the metros, Bharti has 10,68,447 subscribers at the end of June against 6,65,023 subscribers during the same period of last year.