Consumers, especially in smaller cities and towns, used more data on 3G networks in 2015 for watching videos and for social networks for the first time surpassing 2G networks, according to the annual study by Nokia Networks’ MBit Index.
Information as per the Nokia MBiT Index for 2015 showed that data traffic on 3G communications networks surged 85% from 2014, and surpassing the 750 megabits per user benchmark during the past year, helped by expansion of 3G data networks by operators, and the declining prices of 3G smartphones.
The usage also surpassed the data consumed on 2G networks for the first time in 2014, the study showed. “Aggresive 3G network expansion in existing circles and new launches by operators have been instrumental in increasing data traffic in India,” said Sandeep Girotra, vice president and head of India market at Nokia.
“Moreover, the rapid evolution of the device ecosystem supported by a decline in prices, presents a significant growth opportunities for operators as they launch and expand 4G LTE networks in coming years.”
While overall internet usage on mobile phones grew 50% in 2015, lower than the 74% growth in 2014, data usage on 3G networks contributed 64% from 52% a year earlier, the study showed.
Video and social networking made up for 60% of the data usage, followed by communication at 16-20%; and other services at 20-24% of the usage.
Nokia Mbit Index is compiled by Nokia from the user and usage patterns on its networks across the country where manages about 300 million users in the country. The study also has research inputs from operators, and analysis done by Analysys Mason, a telecom consulting firm.
The index is an indication of usage trends since Nokia handles networks across 2G, 3G, and 4G technologies for major operators across all 23 telecom circles. Among the usage, 74% of the usage came from metro cities of Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata, followed by category A, B and C circles, respectively in that order, the study showed.
To be right, there were 310 million devices that support 3G in 2015, rising 2.4 times from 130 million in 2014, but only 38% of them subscribed to a data plan, “implying a significant growth opportunity for operators’ 3G users within an evolved handset base,” the study said.
As far as 4G is concerned, the Nokia Mbit Index, showed that the devices on networks increased eight fold to reach about 47 million devicesin 2015, representing 5% of the total subscribers in the country.
