Though DSL broadband is the top choice to access the Internet in India, thanks to major shifts in consumer online usage and behaviour, its future is bleak. With the advent of social media and Web 2.0 applications, people need faster upload speeds than what DSL broadband affords. The inherent limitation of Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) is its ?slower uploads?. With so many users wanting to upload videos, photos and files, DSL cannot provide them with a consistent and superior connectivity they long for.
People and businesses now want to connect and communicate anywhere, anytime. This has increased the demand of mobility exponentially. After EVDO?s limited spectrum, DSL and Ethernet broadband, the country is all set to experience super-fast Internet access through their hand-held devices. With the 3G excitement ready to embrace India, the country is at the cusp of a new Internet revolution. It was not long ago when a research established that India is the only country where Internet broadband connections are plummeting and more and more users prefer to access the Net through phone rather than connecting to DSL or broadband.
Just a thought, if 2G has been the life- transformer for Internet-savvy Indians, what wonders would 3G bring home?
Launching of inestimable 3G handsets, telecom providers offering value added hosting and network services, content providers selling ringtones, graphics, animations and flash generated concepts only make the world of 3G more enticing and attractive. After voice, it is the turn of data to be universally available. Stream movies, watch live television, organise video calls, receive and send music, upload photos and download music without the occasional hiccups of the Internet. All the data-intensive services can be done with an enhanced Internet performance. The users can experience up to 40% faster uploading and downloading of data whether they send photos or receive a video call.
It is seen that every time Apple releases a new iPhone in America, the support carrier AT&T is choked with overwhelming demands. Though what happens with AT&T after every iPhone launch can ensue 3G back home. It could be possible that with the coagulation in the density of 3G, the pain points may emerge. There could be activation issues, major unexpected delays and voice mails that would never reach you.
Unlike 2G, there hardly can be a price war to win the hearts of consumers. The immense pressure and competition between telecom companies that ultimately benefitted consumers may not happen with 3G. Since from the telcos? perspective, the upgrade to a 3G network was expensive, if not astronomical. They had already spent a huge $14.9 billion in the auction. They would have to contemplate heavily on the business models to achieve a breakthrough in sales. The second hurdle in the way of 3G network is the lack of any nationwide operation for 3G network, which means that wireless carriers have to collaborate with competitors to provide a national coverage.
People in order to satisfy their craving for being online may turn towards commercial mobile bandwidth platform such as WiFi. It is a futuristic service delivery platform designed to meet the needs of mobile Internet users. Slowly but steadily, WiFi is gaining popularity in the niche category where a segment likes to connect to the Internet through laptop, mobile or tablets anywhere and any time.
The mobile data services of WiFi serve a clutter- and congestion-free Internet access. For households and offices alike, commercial WiFi can change the way one surfs the Internet. Addressing the concerns regarding restricted coverage, the service providers are establishing various WiFi zones across the location, creating a ubiquitous presence. The presence of WiFi can be seen in any given mall, hospital and hotel. Moreover, the service providers are also keen on providing roaming free services to their customers so that they can utilise on-the-go connectivity in a true sense.
The low cost of infrastructure, zero spectrum fees and attractive prices are propelling the popularity of WiFi technology. The spurt in the market of WiFi-enabled devices like laptops, Smartphones and iPads are lowering the costs of customer premise equipment. WiFi does not compete with cellular broadband, rather it complements the smooth transition and seamless shift of traffic to heterogeneous networks.
With the laptop market growing at 100% annum and WiFi-enabled phones available at less than R3,000 in India, the market for WiFi is going to be more intense than ever. Predicting the future of the growing Indian market would be difficult. Companies would try to lure the customers with attractive price packages whereas quality, coverage and capacity will determine the selection criterion of customers.
?The writer is managing director, Spectranet