Affordable data packs by telecom operators and increasing use of smartphone has resulted into a remarkable increase in mobile data usage in India. A report from Nokia Solutions and Networks’ MBit Index has revealed that India has registered a 87% rise in data traffic generated by 2G and 3G services during 2013, driven by strong 3G growth.
3G data traffic increased by 146 percent in 2013, with 2G data traffic growing by 59 percent over the same period, said the report. NSN’s MBit Index also shows that 3G users continue to consume more data on average than 2G users. In December 2013, a 3G user consumed 532 megabytes of data compared to 146 megabyte for 2G. Giving insights about the reason for increasing 3G data consumption the report touted that reductions in 3G data tariffs has resulted in increased migration of high end 2G customers to 3G. It further stated that the average data consumption per user in few urban areas went upto one gigabyte per month, indicating the rising popularity and uptake of 3G across India.
NSN’s MBit Index stated that mobile data traffic generated by 3G services more than doubled in India in 2013, a rate much higher than growth seen in other parts of the world where mobile broadband data is expanding at 100% on average.
“With the recent spectrum auctions paving the way for acceleration of mobile broadband penetration in the country, there is a great opportunity for India to create a world-class infrastructure and improve the lives of millions of Indians. This can be achieved through a wider 3G rollout as well as through selected introduction of LTE technologies and the modernization of existing GSM networks.” explained Sandeep Girotra, head of India region at NSN.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has divided the market into 23 service areas referred to as “circles” (roughly in line with the country’s 28 states). The circles are further divided into four categories: “metro” circles covering four major cities, “Category A” circles for regions with other large cities, “Category B” circles covering regions with smaller towns, and “Category C” circles for rural areas.
In category A circle, the analysis of the leading 50 cities where 3G has been launched shows that additional 10% to 15% 3G sites are needed to match the existing 2G coverage. In category B there is a gap of 15% to 20% sites. On average, 20% to 25% additional sites are needed to cover the cities that are not yet covered in category A and B.
Source: The Hindu Business Line
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