Mobile phone subscribers of Singapore Telecommunications grew by a record 5 million to more than 52 million in the third quarter which ended June 20, SingTel said on Monday. The customer growth in the three-month period makes SingTel the largest mobile phone company by subscriber numbers in Asia outside of China, the company's statement said. "The combined mobile subscriber base of SingTel, SingTel Optus and the Group's four regional associates grew 40 per cent from about 38 million a year ago," it said. "On a proportionate basis, SingTel's subscriber base in the six markets - Australia, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand - increased 41 per cent to 21 million during the same period," it added. Telkomsel, the Indonesian unit and biggest contributor of earnings among SingTel's regional businesses, maintained its market share. The combined subscribers of Telkomsel and three other Asian units - Advanced Info Service, Bharti and Globe - posted 45 per cent growth in subscribers from a year earlier to 45 million. SingTel maintained its subscribed base of more than 1.5 million in Singapore.
