3G switch will be slow: Nielsen study

Only one out of five mobile subscribers in urban areas will adopt 3G telecom services in the short term, according to a new study.

Despite high awareness of 3G and its capabilities to deliver broadband content, it may take 8-10 years before the majority of mobile subscribers adopt it, says the study by The Nielsen Company. It said about 70 per cent of urban mobile subscribers were aware of 3G services and 63 per cent were familiar with it as a concept.

“While service providers have succeeded in popularising the concept of 3G and articulating their promises, consumers seem tentative to embrace the technology” said Arjun Urs, Director - Client Solutions India, Nielsen. Even with an enhanced user experience on a 3G network, driving migration to 3G devices will be a challenge. The bundling of 3G services with new handsets will be the most effective course of action for telecom carriers.