Indian telecom service provider Idea Cellular has tapped Ceragon Networks to modernize wireless backhaul connections to drive 3G data growth.
The wireless backhaul provider in a statement said the multimillion dollar orders include Ceragon solutions and services and will enable Idea Cellular to upgrade its TDM network and deliver data-rich services to its over 125 million customers.
“With the explosive growth in data demand over the past few years, it is critical to have partners that understand the unique challenges of our market and offer flexible solutions that can grow over time,” said Anil Tandan, chief technology officer of Idea Cellular.
Idea Cellular 3G data ARPU rose to Rs 109 in first quarter of FY 2014 from Rs 105 in fourth quarter of FY 2013 and Rs 89 in the first quarter of FY 2013. The year-on-year increase in 3G data ARPU of Idea Cellular was 22.47 percent. Idea Cellular says 3G data usage increased to 398 MB in Q1 FY 2014 from 385 MB in Q4 FY 2013. 3G data volume of Idea Cellular increased to 6,334 million MB from 5,231 million MB.
India is the world’s second largest mobile market with approximately 900 million mobile connections. The mobile penetration rate, based on connections, is currently 72 percent and is forecast to rise to almost 100 percent by 2017.
Mobile broadband adoption in India is set to rocket over the next five years, from about 35 million mobile broadband connections to a potential 400 million mobile broadband connections by the end of 2017, the target date according to India’s National Telecom Policy for high availability broadband throughout the country.