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Private operators grab 43% of telecom market share: V&D study
BANGALORE: Private operators, made it big in the Indian telecom market as they accounted for 43 per cent of total telecom services revenue in FY 2004-05.
According to the V&D100 survey (Vol II) for FY 2004-05 by the Voice & Data magazine, The overall telecom services industry in the country grew 16 per cent from Rs 587.4 billion in 2003-04 to Rs 680.69 million in 2004-05.
Cellular services continued its great march, growing at 63 per cent in FY 04-05, according to V&D100 2005, the tenth Indian Telecom Industry Report (Vol II) released by VOICE&DATA-the leading communications business magazine. However, fixed services posted a negative growth of 1 per cent, although it still formed the biggest chunk (48 per cent) of the telecom services market.
According to the report, national long distance (NLD) services grew by 22 per cent while international long distance (ILD) slipped 12 per cent. Despite all the talking about broadband, the internet services could grow only 1 per cent. VSAT services posted a growth of 29 per cent, while radio trunking services went up by 4 per cent.
The study is based on a survey of all licensed service providers in the country. “The performance in 2004-05 was a result of the massive expansion of networks by almost all the wireless operators including BSNL,” VOICE&DATA editor Ibrahim Ahmad said.
The cellular industry grew by more than 50 per cent in both revenue terms as well as the number of subscribers. 17.9 million mobile lines were added in FY 2004-05, of which GSM contributed around 14.8 million lines whereas CDMA contributed around 3.1 million lines.
The mobile industry is estimated to be around Rs 232.84 billion ($5.2 billion) in FY 2004-05, an increase of 63 per cent. Last year the Indian mobile industry, as per V&D estimates, was around Rs 142.67 billion ($3.2 billion).
In subscriber terms, Bharti led the race with 10.98 million, followed by Reliance with 10.45 million, and BSNL had around 10.16 million. In revenue terms, Bharti was in the front, followed by Hutch, Reliance, and BSNL.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
