3G growth in India beats world avg

Average 3G data consumption is 532 MB/month, says NSN Mbit Index study

Data traffic powered by third-generation (3G) services grew at 146 per cent in India last year, higher than the global average that saw use double, according to an MBit Index study by Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN).

Second-generation (2G)  and 3G data combined grew 87 per cent, as 2G data growth stabilised, at 59 per cent. “The study also shows that 3G users continue to consume more data on average than 2G users,” NSN said.

The data consumed per subscriber for 3G is 532 megabytes (MB), against 146 MB for 2G. The use is much higher in major urban centers,  at a gigabyte a month. “This indicates the rising popularity and uptake of 3G across India. In addition, premium tariff reductions in 3G services in early 2013 led to an increased migration of high-end 2G customers to 3G,” said NSN.

Half the growth in 3G comes from category A circles, which include large cities and metros. In these circles, 3G data traffic grew 185 per cent. These circles were also paid huge premia by operators to acquire licences and spectrum in the auctions of 2010. Category B circles accounted to 31 per cent of the total traffic. The study says that both categories indicate a big demand of high-speed services.