Indian telecom industry celebrates 50-percent tele-density

The Indian telecom industry celebrated its unprecedented achievement in 2010 late last evening by recognizing some key leaders who have helped shape this sector into a $63 billion business with a tele density of 50 percent.

The Indian telecom industry celebrated its unprecedented achievement in 2010 late last evening by recognizing some key leaders who have helped shape this sector into a $63 billion business with a tele density of 50 percent.

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Organised by leading industry publication Voice and Data magazine, the event saw Sunil Mittal being named the Global Telecom Leader for 2010 for shaping Bharti Group's takeover of the African assets of Kuwait's Zain Telecom.

Tata Teleservices Chief Executive Anil Sardana was named Telecom Person of the Year for introducing "per second" billing plan in the country.

Matrix was named Emerging Company of the Year for growing from a niche company to a name synonymous with international mobility.

Key industry players like Wipro, Bharti Airtel, Cisco and the state run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited were also honoured for being leaders in more than one category.

"While the industry is gearing up to connect every single Indian, its profitability is under great strain. The industry also looks forward to clearer policy directions on security issues," said Pradeep Gupta, chairman of CyberMedia, which published Voice and Data magazine.

"The operators will need much more than magic to make money post 3G spectrum licensing. An early allocation of 3G spectrum, quick ramp up of data services and lower energy costs as a result of reliable utility supply can alone help the industry stay afloat," added Prasanto K Roy, chief editor of CyberMedia Publications.