Indians to download around 9 bn mobile apps in 2015: Deloitte

The number of app developers in the country is likely to increase manifold and the country may have the largest base of developers by 2017, said the consultancy

With the increased penetration of smartphones and expansion of 3G network in India, the country is likely to see around nine billion mobile application (apps) downloads during 2015, which is five times more than 1.56 billion in 2012, as per Deloitte's India Technology, Media & Entertainment and Telecom (TMT) Predictions released on Wednesday.

This uptick in app-downloads is also expected to increase the revenue from paid apps to an estimated over Rs 15 billion as against Rs 9 billion in 2014, Deloitte said.

"Burgeoning smartphone and mobile internet usage, a growing developer community and the potential for regional and localised apps are likely to favor an app revolution in India this year," said Jolyon Barker, global TMT leader at Deloitte. "India's app economy is already making its mark in the global arena, and this bodes well for consumers, businesses and app developers alike."

India currently has around 3 lakh app developers and has the second largest Android developer community in the world after the US. The number of app developers in the country is likely to increase manifold and the country may have the largest base of developers by 2017, Deloitte said.

Amid such rapid growth of apps, digital advertising is also seen on an upswing, and Deloitte estimates it to grow by 30 per cent in 2015 as against a year ago. However, despite the growth in digital advertising, the print medium will also continue to grow, and may maintain a market share of 40-45 per cent in the near future.