Smartphone penetration and demand for 5G
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India in a different league to Asian peers as far as data consumption is concerned. India has the world's highest data usage per smartphone at 9.8 GB/ pm, and is set to grow to 18 GB/pm in 5 years!! This is a trend in other emerging countries like Latin America and Middle-east.
Mobile broadband (610m subs) makes up over 50% of cellular connections in India. By 2024, smartphones would have reached near-full penetration with 1,100m users and 1,250m subscribers. Telcos will see a 23% pa growth in data traffic.
"These results are not surprising, as India’s mobile data plans have long been the cheapest in the world. In fact, Reliance Jio charges just 149 rupees (~$2) for 1.5GB of mobile data daily over 28 days".
India will NOT be the fastest adopters of 5G, but half of the smartphone users express a desire to buy the next generation 5G mobile technology at premium rates. They expect their providers to avail 5G services or they will switch. Govt is sensitive to these needs. It has asked the regulator to recommend 5G spectrum reserve price (which is likely to be heavily discounted), and modalities of 5G trials and spectrum auction.
June 21st, 2019
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