10 largest terrestrial mobile operators in the world

According to the ITU World Telecommunication update report in the year 2013, The number of global mobile connections has reached 6.8 Billion landmark, which is almost as many mobile cellular subscriptions as that of people in the world, with more than half in the Asia-Pacific region.

Currently, the mobile-cellular subscription penetration rates stand at 96% globally; 128% in developed countries; and 89% in developing countries.

With almost more than 800 numbers of mobile operators serving the globe, Here is the list of top 10 players among them on the basis of the approximate number of subscribers, acquired at the end of the year 2013.

Rank No. 10 - China Telecom

• Founded : 2002
• Headquarters: Beijing, China
• Total No. of Subscribers : 184.78 Million ( Jan'14)
• Service Area : China & United Kingdom
• Technology: CDMA, EVDO, TD-LTE
• Revenue : $46052.01 Million (FY 2012), $25626.30 Million ( Jan'13 to June'13)
• Net Profit : $2428.09 Million (FY 2012), $1661.51 Million ( Jan'13 to June'13)

Rank No. 9 - VimpelCom Ltd.

• Founded : 2009
• Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Total No. of Subscribers : 219 Million ( Jan'14)
• Service Area : Russia, Italy, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Armenia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan,   Laos, Algeria, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Burundi, Zimbabwe, Central African Republic and Canada.
• Technology: GSM, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, LTE
• Revenue : $23061 Million (FY 2012), $16994 Million ( Q1 to Q3 2013)
• Net Profit : $2145 Million (FY 2012), $1236 Million ( Q1 to Q3 2013)

Note: VimpelCom provides services under the "Beeline", "Kyivstar", “Wind”, "Infostrada" “Mobilink”, “Leo”, “banglalink”, “Telecel”, and “Djezzy” brands.


Rank No. 8 - Orange

• Founded : 1994
• Headquarters: Paris, France
• Total No. of Subscribers : 232.5 Million ( Sep'13)
• Service Area : Africa Middle-East, Europe & Domnican Republic
• Technology: GSM, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, LTE
• Revenue : $59805.39 Million (FY 2012), $2835.31 Million ( Jan'13 to June'13)
• Net Profit : $1661.60 Million ( Jan'13 to June'13)

Rank No. 7 - Axiata

• Founded : 1992
• Headquarters: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
• Total No. of Subscribers : 239.7 Million ( Q3 2013)
• Service Area : Malaysia (Celcom), Bangladesh (Robi 92%), Cambodia (Smart), India (Idea Cellular 19.96%), Indonesia (XL 66.55%), Singapore (M1 29.12%), Sri Lanka (Dialog)(84.97%)
• Technology: GSM, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSPA+, LTE
• Revenue : $5596.65 Million (FY 2013)
• Net Profit :  $834.43 Million (FY 2013)

Rank No. 6 - Telefónica Group

• Founded : 1924
• Headquarters: Madrid, Spain
• Total No. of Subscribers : 254.7 Million ( Dec'13)
• Service Area : Europe & Latin America
• Technology: GSM, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, LTE, D-AMPS, cdmaOne, CDMA2000
• Revenue : $78641.47 Million (2013)
• Net Profit : $6330 Million ( 2013)

Note: Telefonica provides services under the "Movistar" , "O2" & "VIVO" brands.




Rank No. 5 - América Móvil

• Founded : 2000
• Headquarters: Mexico City, Mexico
• Total No. of Subscribers : 265 Million ( Q3 2013)
• Service Area : US, Mexico, Central & South America, The Caribbean
• Technology: GSM, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSPA+, LTE, D-AMPS, cdmaOne, CDMA2000 1x, EV-DO
• Revenue : $59300 Million (2012), $1500 Million (3Q 2013)
• Net Profit :  $7100 Million (2012)

Rank No. 4 - Bharti Airtel

• Founded : 1995
• Headquarters: New Delhi, India
• Total No. of Subscribers : 275.2 Million ( Dec'2013)
• Service Area : Asia & Africa
• Technology: GSM, GPRS, EDGE, HSPA, LTE
• Revenue : $10239.63 Million (April'13 to Dec'13)
• Net Profit :  $291.92 Million (April'13 to Dec'13)

Rank No. 3 - China Unicom

• Founded : 1994
• Headquarters: Beijing, China
• Total No. of Subscribers : 280 Million ( Dec'2013)
• Service Area : Mainland China
• Technology: GSM, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE (planned)
• Revenue : $48001.80 Million (2013)
• Net Profit :  $1693.35 Million (2013)

Rank No. 2 - Vodafone Group

• Founded : 1991
• Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
• Total No. of Subscribers : 419 Million ( Dec'2013)
• Service Area : Northern & Central Europe, Southern Europe, Africa, Middle East & Asia Pacific
• Technology: GSM, GPRS, EDGE, HSPA, LTE
• Annual Revenue : $74298.71 Million (2013)
• Net Profit :  $717.16 Million (2013)

Rank No. 1 - China Mobile

• Founded : 1997
• Headquarters: Beijing, China
• Total No. of Subscribers : 771.866 Million ( 31st Jan 2014)
• Service Area : Mainland China, Hong Kong, Pakistan
• Technology: GSM, TD-SCDMA, TD-LTE and WLAN 
• Annual Revenue : $49315.63 Million (Half Year 2013)
• Net Profit : $10271.38 Million (Half Year 2013)

Note: China Mobile provides services under the "Easyown", "GoTone", “M-zone”, "G3" and “And” brands.

Chinese operators will continue to remain in the top 10 spots considering china’s population which is more than 1.39 Billion and along with its strict telecommunication policy which regulates foreign telecom service providers to setup their own network. According to the policy it is mandatory for foreign investors to make upto 49 percent joint venture with, preferably major national carrier for getting the entry in the market. This Stringent telecom policy has continued to protect china’s national carriers & will continue in future even though there is some recent news which says, china may open market for the foreign operators with 100 percent subsidiary in the telecom value added services space. But for this foreign company must have to set up business within an 11 square mile 'free trade zone' in the Pudong district of Shanghai. Once set up in the area, foreign companies will be able to provide the VAS across China. But still this may not impact growth of national carrier as far as core services are concerned.

Just like in china, even India is 2^nd largest populated country with more than 915 million customers, allowed Airtel & Vodafone to gain almost 55 percent of customers followed by Idea cellular at the 3^rd spot. Even with such a large customer base, till now none of the operator in India has been able to acquire more customers as that of the China Mobile. The major reason behind this may be because, India after 2000 has made telecom policies more liberal & increased FDI level from 49 percent to 74 percent which allowed many players both Indian as well as foreign telecom operators like Vodafone, Telenor, Sistema etc. to enter in market, which has increased the intensity of competition. Recently in 2013, 100 percent FDI is announced in Indian telecom market to boost the debt ridden industry.

Vodafone with its adopted strategy of local market & partner market, which covers 21 countries & 50 countries respectively, has made them possible for to acquire more 419 Million customers, reaching the 2^nd spot.

Other major operators like Bharti Airtel, America Movil, Telefonica, Axiata, Orange & VimpelCom Ltd has acquired the customers by investing in different types of markets, either by setting up their own subsidiary or acquiring and investing in already existing operators.

Note: All the facts & figures are taken from financial reports of the respective company.
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