New Delhi is the leader among metropolitan cities in the market for prepaid SIM cards and recharge vouchers used in mobile telephony, according to A C Nielsen.

The research firm, in its census of mobile telephony market, called Micro Map: SIM, said the other metros in the top-five slot were: Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Chennai.

The sample used in the survey comprised Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Pune and New Delhi.

The census, says the research agency, has been created to comprehensively detail the market structure of the rapidly growing retail mobile telephony market, which includes global system for mobile communications and wireless in local loop.

The agency's research on prepaid GSM market reveals interesting facts. In terms of sales of prepaid SIM cards, Hyderabad and Bangalore rank third.

In terms of sales of prepaid recharge vouchers, Kolkata replaces Hyderabad in third position. This, says the agency, indicates a higher frequency in the usage of prepaid GSM services in Kolkata.

Bangalore slips to fourth position in prepaid GSM SIM sales and to sixth in prepaid recharge voucher sales, indicating a lower usage and longer replacement cycle.

Other findings indicate differences in distribution network between larger and smaller metros. The survey found out that the service-provider outlets contribute the most to prepaid sales in larger metros.

"While in the case of smaller metros, such as Pune, Lucknow and Chandigarh, alternate points-of-sale, such as general stores, STD booths and electrical stores, take precedence."

A C Nielsen said the survey will help market players pinpoint sales-and-distribution dynamics for their brands down to a pincode level, thus making it possible for them to map the market more accurately.