World's largest mobile operators, Bharti Airtel is No.4

Take a look at the world's largest mobile operators...

1. China Mobile (China)

China Mobile continued its lead as the world's largest operator group, growing connections by 11 per cent year-on-year to 683.1 million. 

Two of its domestic rivals moved up the ranking compared to a year ago - and all three now feature in the top ten for the first time.

Connections: 683.08 million
YoY Growth, connections: 11%
Mobile Revenue: $22.05 bn

...

2. Vodafone Group (United Kingdom)

Connections: 386.88 million
YoY Growth, connections: 5%
Mobile Revenue: $13.92 bn

...

America Movil Group (United States)

Connections: 251.83 million
YoY Growth, connections: 7%
Mobile Revenue: $7.98 bn

...

4. Bharti Airtel Group (India)

Connections: 250.04 million
YoY Growth, connections: 13%
Mobile Revenue: $3.04 bn

Bharti Airtel was the only other member of the top ten to move up the ranking, recording a 13 percent year-on-year rise in connections and leapfrogging Telefonica to become the world's fourth-largest operator group in Q2.

However, Bharti's US$3.04 billion in mobile revenue in Q2 2012 is significantly lower than the four other operators in the top five, reflecting Bharti's presence in the ultra low-cost, low-margin Indian and African markets, says Wireless Intelligence.

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Telefonica Group (Spain)

Connections: 243.51 million
YoY Growth, connections: 7%
Mobile Revenue: $11.40 bn 

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China Unicom (China)

Connections: 219.25 million
YoY Growth, connections: 21%
Mobile Revenue: $4.95 bn

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VimpelCom Group (Russia)
(includes Orascom group)

Connections: 205.05 million
YoY Growth, connections: 7%
Mobile Revenue: $4.58 bn

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Reliance Communications (India)

Connections: 154.60 million
YoY Growth, connections: 8%
Mobile Revenue: $0.48 bn

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Telenor Group (Norway)

Connections: 152.74 million
YoY Growth, connections: 24%
Mobile Revenue: $2.55 bn

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China Telecom (China)

Connections: 144.18 million
YoY Growth, connections: 33%
Mobile Revenue: $3.37 bn

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MTN Group (South Africa)

Connections: 136.59 million
YoY Growth, connections: 14%
Mobile Revenue: $3.85 bn

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France Telecom Group (France)

Connections: 133.38 million
YoY Growth, connections: 57%
Mobile Revenue: $7.18 bn

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Telkomsel Gr (Indonesia)

Connections: 117.24 million
YoY Growth, connections: 15%
Mobile Revenue: $1.43 bn

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Idea Cellular (India)

Connections: 117.16 million
YoY Growth, connections: 15%
Mobile Revenue: $1 bn

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Sistema Group (Russia)
(Includes MTS Group)

Connections: 114.51 million
YoY Growth, connections: 3%
Mobile Revenue: $2.54 bn

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Verizon Wireless

Connections: 111.37 million
YoY Growth, connections: 5%
Mobile Revenue: $15.78 bn

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Deutsche Telekom Group (Germany)

Connections: 107.86 million
YoY Growth, connections: 2%
Mobile Revenue: $8.38 bn

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AT&T (United States)

Connections: 105.21 million
YoY Growth, connections: 7%
Mobile Revenue: $14.77 bn

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Telecom Italia (Italy)

Connections: 101.10 million
YoY Growth, connections: 16%
Mobile Revenue: $4.10 bn

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BSNL (India)

Connections: 98.28 million
YoY Growth, connections: 5%
Mobile Revenue: $0.44 bn