Telecom Lead India: 3G services generated one third of the total mobile data in India in 2012, according to Nokia Siemens Networks’ MBit Index study.
The 3G tariff reduction by operators in mid 2012 led to the significant growth in 3G data consumption.
Operators such as Reliance Communications, Aircel, Idea Cellular, Airtel, Tata Teleservices, Vodafone, etc. were aggressively pushing ahead with their 3G data plans.
Earlier this month, Reliance Communications said its 3G subscriber base reached 7.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2013. Reliance Communications’ data customers touched 29.4 million during the fourth quarter.
Its rival Bharti Airtel’s 3G subscribers reached 6.4 million in the fourth quarter. Airtel earlier said data continues to lead the mobile segment growth in India, through deeper penetration and consumption. Idea Cellular’s 3G subscriber base reached 5.1 million, while data ARPU rose to Rs 55.
The study says category A circles were the biggest contributor for 3G data that rose three times.
3G services, launched in 2010, contributed significantly to the growth of mobile data in India that nearly doubled in 2012.
In category A circles, half the number of smartphone users still use 2G for data in the Indian telecom market.
Nokia Siemens Networks’ MBit Index study reveals a 92 percent increase in mobile data traffic generated by both 2G and 3G services in India between December 2011 and December 2012.
Mobile data traffic generated by 3G services increased by 196 percent while mobile data traffic generated by 2G services increased by 66 percent during the period.
Each 3G user currently consumes close to 300 percent more data on an average than a 2G user. Currently, 3G user consumes 434 MB per month on an average while a 2G user consumes 115 MB per month.
In the first half of the research period, December 2011- June 2012, data traffic generated by 3G services increased by 78 percent while that of 2G services increased by 47 percent.
In the second half, July 2012 – December 2012, data traffic generated by 3G services increased by 54 percent while that of 2G services increased by 18 percent on a larger base.
The growth rate of 3G data in the second half of 2012 was almost triple that of the growth rate of 2G. In the second half, 2G data growth stabilized due to high-end 2G users migrating to 3G services.
“The fact that data consumption by 3G users has tripled in one year clearly shows the rapid and steady increase in mobile data consumption in India. This translates into the need for high-quality mobile broadband services with improved speed and service quality to satisfy mobile broadband users,” said Sandeep Girotra, head of India region at Nokia Siemens Networks.
