India is the world’s second-largest telecommunications market, with close to 900 million subscribers as of March 2013. Currently with a new government, upcoming 700MHz and 800 MHz auctions and stiff competition, the telecom market is buzzing with activity.

The country’s combined wireless and wireline revenue grew at a CAGR of 10.4 percent to USD 39.1 billion over the period FY 2006-13. The wireless segment accounts for close to 97 percent of the Indian telecom market, as per world’s leading market research firm ‘Research and Markets’. Bharti Airtel is the market leader followed by Vodafone and Reliance.

The focus of leading telecom players is shifting towards the rural markets of India, which are being touted as the next key growth drivers for the Indian telecom industry. While the penetration of mobile phones in rural India is increasing steadily, there still exists a large gap in this segment, representing a potential market for the key players.