Despite the sharp 20.7 million decline in telecom subscriber base last month, the first time since the mobile revolution in 1997, the industry is expected to touch 1,042 million users by the fiscal-end, CMIE has said.
"The total subscriber base is expected to reach 1,042 million by March 2013," economic research agency Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) said in its monthly report.
The telecom subscriber base fell to 944.81 million in August from 965.52 million in August, according to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) data.
Market leader Bharti lost a net 1.9 million customers in August, while Vodafone lost 1.56 million and Idea Cellular lost 1.65 million customers. These control 67 percent of the mobile market.
"Most of the loss was due to the disconnection of unused numbers," industry body COAI said.
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