India's Idea Cellular has overtaken state-controlled BSNL to become the country's third largest GSM operator, based on the November figures from the Cellular Operators Association of India. Idea ended the month with 55.9 million customers, compared to 55.2 million for BSNL.
The GSM industry as a whole added 11 million subscribers to take the countrywide tally to 366 million.
Bhart Airtel reclaimed the top spot for fastest growing operator after adding 2.8 million new customers. Vodafone added a shade fewer at 2.78 million new customers.
The mid-ranked B circles continued to be the regions with the fastest growth rates, although a recent ban on prepay phones in Jammu and Kashmir resulted in a reported drop in mobile phone users.
