Nokia Siemens Networks’ MBit Index study reveals mobile data traffic generated by 2G and 3G networks in India has grown immensely in last two years. According to the study, the two networks helped mobile data traffic grow by 92 percent between December 2011 and December 2012.
The study reveals 3G was the main driver for the growth, as the data traffic generated by the third generation network had surged 196 percent whereas data traffic from 2G network surged by 66 percent during the stated period.
The Nokia study says each 3G user currently consumes is around 300 percent more than than that of an average 2G user. As per the study, a 3G user consumes about 434MB per month while a 2G user consumes 115MB per month.
During the period between December 2011 and June 2012, 3G-driven data traffic had grown by 78 percent, while data volume from 2G surged by 47 percent. The second half of the research period – between July 2012 and December 2012, traffic driven by 3G services grew by 54 percent while that 2G network increased by 18 percent.
According to the study, move to slash 3G tariffs by various service providers had a huge impact on the growth of 3G data consumption. The maximum impact was seen in category A circles (India’s telecommunications market is divided into 22 sub-regions, also referred to as circles). 3G services generated one-third of the total mobile data in the country in the second half of the year – up from one-fourth in the first half.
“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.
“In addition, the observations of trends in various circles underscore the need for a special focus on further enhancing 3G network coverage in A, B and C circles across the country. Constantly improving the quality of data services and fulfilling growing expectations of mobile broadband customers will be a win-win for both operators and data customers.”
Nokia Siemens Networks’ MBit Index highlights mobile data growth in India is in line with other high growth mobile data markets. Nokia Siemens Networks predicts operators worldwide will need to be prepared to provide 1GB of personalized data per user by 2020.
You can download the full Nokia Siemens Networks’ MBit Index study from here.
Source: Nokia