India added 6.42 million GSM mobile subscribers in July, marginally higher than the previous month’s 6.32 million users, and GSM subscribers at the end of July totaled 218.9 million (includes June figures from mainly CDMA-operating Reliance Communications) according to the Cellular Operators’ Association of India.

Top-ranked mobile operator Bharti Airtel has outperformed itself again and added 2.69 million subscribers in July, extending its lead over the world’s fastest growing mobile market, with 72.07 million total subscribers and securing 32.92% market share in India.

Airtel had earlier reported a 34% increase in 2nd quarter consolidated net profit to reach US$484 million based on 44% growth in revenue, riding on the leader’s highest-ever quarterly mobile subscriber base growth of 61% from a year ago.

Based on its stellar performance, Airtel is on track to become India’s largest telecom operator (both fixed line and mobile) and overtaking the state-owned BSNL very soon. The company also has 2.31 million fixed-line users at end June. Last month Airtel had announced a strategic tie-up with SKS Microfinance, India’s largest microfinance institution, to make mobile telephony affordable for more rural consumers.

The iPhone will be launched in India by Airtel and Vodafone on the stroke of midnight on August 21, which will likely boost their figures. Third-largest mobile operator Vodafone Essar added 1.76 million GSM users in July and maintained 23.27% market share with 50.95 million total subscribers.

State-owned Bharat Sanchar (BSNL) accounted for 17.32% of the GSM market with 37.9 mil customers and Idea Cellular held a market share of 12.9% at 28.2 mil, with 1.05 million new additions in July.  BSNL, which is gearing up for a $10 billion IPO, added barely over half a million new wireless users for the month but it dominates the India telecommunications market with a strong fixed line user base of 30.9 million as of June.