3G users expected to cross 107 mn mark by 2015: PwC

The number of 3G subscribers are projected to cross 107 million-mark by 2015, according to a report by a leading industry-focused tax and advisory services Pricewaterhouse Coopers.

Initially, the uptake of mobile broadband services will almost exclusively be in urban India. However, by 2015, rural subscribers are likely to comprise 24 per cent of the overall 3G subscriber base, PwC's latest report titled 'Mobile Broadband Outlook 2015', commissioned by GSMA, the body representing the interests of global mobile communications industry, said.

Introduction of new innovative applications, enhanced user experience, decreasing prices of third generation/HSPA- enabled handsets would be the key driver for mobile broadband in India.

Mobile broadband services will generate incremental revenue of Rs 940 billion in 2015 for telecom industry as a whole, it said.

On the key enablers of growth, Pricewaterhouse Coopers Associate Director Siddharth Vishwanath said the main driver for mobile broadband would be 3G and high speed packet access (HSPA) technology, while TDD LTE and in some cases WiMax, would mainly cater to the enterprise and high networth individual segments.

"However, notwithstanding the fairly optimistic demand side scenario, spectrum remains a key constraint on the supply side for growth of MBS. To address this, appropriate policy changes and supporting regulatory frameworks need to be put in place."

Robindhra Mangtani, Senior Director at GSMA said mobile broadband should be recognised as a key component in any National Broadband strategy.

The mobile subscriber base is projected to cross one billion in 2014 driven by high subscriber additions in mostly rural areas.