Telecom in the real sense means the transfer of information between two distant points in space. The popular meaning of telecom always involves electrical signals and as a result, people often exclude postal or any other raw telecommunication methods from its meaning. Therefore, the history of Indian telecom can be started with the introduction of telegraph. The government of India possesses a diversified communications system that links all parts of the country by Internet, telephone, telegraph, radio, and television. Most of the telecommunications forms are as prevalent or as advanced as those in modern Western countries, and the system includes some of the most sophisticated technology in the world and constitutes a foundation for further development of a modern network. India has the world's second largest mobile phone users with over 903 million as of January 2012. It has the world's third largest Internet users with over 121 million as of December 2011. India has become the world's most competitive and one of the fastest growing telecom markets. The industry is expected to reach a size of 344,921 crore (US$ 68. 81 billion) by 2012 at a growth rate of over 26 per cent, and generate employment opportunities for about 10 million people during the same period. According to analysts, the sector would create direct employment for 2. 8 million people and for 7 million indirectly. The total revenue of the Indian telecom sector grew by 7% to 283,207crore (US$ 56. 5 billion) for 2010-11 financial year, while revenues from telecom equipment segment stood at 117,039 crore (US$ 23. 35 billion). This paper confines the structure of telecom industry, telecom policies of the government of India, telecommunication services in rural India and growth of telecom industry in India.

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Telecom Industry Telecom Policies Telecommunication Services Government Policies And Growth Of Telecom Industry