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Telephones per 100 Population is a widely used indicator to measure the telecommunication penetration in a region. It represents the number of telephone connections (fixed-line and mobile) available for every 100 individuals in a specified area, such as a country or a state. This metric, also referred to as teledensity, serves as a critical measure of a region’s access to communication infrastructure and reflects the level of technological development and connectivity. The calculation involves dividing the total number of active telephone connections by the total population and multiplying by 100. High teledensity indicates the extensive reach of telecommunication services, fostering economic growth, improved communication, and better access to information and services. Conversely, low teledensity points to challenges in connectivity, often in rural or underdeveloped areas. Policymakers use this indicator to assess and enhance communication infrastructure, bridging the digital divide and ensuring inclusive development.
India’s overall telephone penetration rate has increased dramatically, from 7.1 phones per 100 people in 2004 to a peak of 93.3 in 2018 before dipping slightly to 84.51 in 2023. Over the past 20 years, India’s telecommunications landscape has undergone a significant upheaval, with the number of telephones more than doubling. Major metropolitan cities consistently maintained the highest telephone penetration rates throughout the period. In 2021, Delhi topped the list with 282.01 phones per 100 people, followed by Mumbai and Kolkata. These cities’ high penetration rates—which surpass 100%—indicate that each person has multiple phone connections, most likely as a result of separate personal and business lines or multiple devices. All of the major metro areas, however, have seen a slight decline recently; Mumbai, for example, fell from its 2012 peak of 183.5 to 135.17 in 2023. In 2018, the telephone penetration in Himachal Pradesh was around 174.46 connections per 100 population (the highest in the country), but later, it decreased to 119.69 by 2023. This high penetration in a predominantly mountainous state might reflect successful telecommunications infrastructure development policies and possibly tourism influence. Moreover, Kerala and Punjab have also consistently maintained high telephone density, There’s a notable digital divide between different regions of India. While southern states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh maintained relatively high telephone penetration rates (above 90 per 100 population), several northeastern states and Bihar showed lower penetration. Assam, for instance, reached only 70.72 connections per 100 population by 2023, while Bihar stood at 55.23, indicating significant room for telecommunications infrastructure development in these regions. An exciting trend emerged post-2018, with most states showing a slight decline in telephone density, possibly due to market saturation, consolidation in the telecom sector, or the elimination of inactive connections. In Gujarat, for instance, the telephone density decreased from 113.71 in 2017 to 92.58 in 2023, while in Tamil Nadu, it decreased from 136.36 in 2018 to 103.46 in 2023. The data also reveals rapid growth periods, particularly between 2004-2012, when most states saw the fastest expansion in their telephone penetration. This period coincides with India’s mobile revolution and the entry of multiple telecom operators into the market. For example, in just eight years, the telephone density in Andhra Pradesh increased tenfold, from 7.9 in 2004 to 80.9 in 2012. Although telephone penetration in India has advanced significantly since 2004, the overall trend indicates that the industry may have matured in many states, with recent years seeing either a slight decline in penetration rates or stabilisation. This might suggest that the emphasis is now on enhancing service quality and implementing newer technologies rather than increasing basic telephone connectivity.
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