Mobile data in India nearly doubles in 2012, 3G data triples: Study

The Nokia Siemens Network (NSN) MBit Index report said mobile data traffic generated by 3G services increased by 196 percent while that generated by 2G services increased by 66 percent during the period.

"The fact that data consumption by 3G users has tripled in one year clearly shows the rapid and steady increase in mobile data consumption in India," Nokia Siemens Networks Head of India region Sandeep Girotra told reporters here.

One petabyte equals a quadrillion (fifth power of 1000) bytes.

Currently, a 3G user consumes 434 MB of data per month on an average while a 2G user consumes 115 MB per month, he said.

The study said 3G tariff reductions in mid-2012 boosted its uptake, especially in metros and Category A circles.

"The 3G price reductions in mid-2012 provided the much needed fillip to its uptake. On an average, the 3G-2G price differential has reduced from 7X (beginning of 2012) to 2X (end of 2012), favourably impacting the 3G uptake in India," it said.

3G now constitutes one-third of all mobile data as against one-fourth of all data in mid-2012.

However, more than half of all 3G-enabled smartphone owners still access mobile data through 2G.

The study said mobile data growth in the country is in line with other high growth mobile data markets around the world and it is expected that by 2020, operators need to service 1GB data per user per day.

Stating that although the smartphone penetration in the country is just 6 percent, 50 percent of all mobile data (2G and 3G) is generated through these phones, while feature phones contribute around 30 percent of all mobile data.

The study said growth rate of Indian smartphone subscribers in 2012 was one of the highest in the world.

"The smartphone subscribers grew at over 50 percent, much ahead of those in developed countries such as US, Japan, Korea etc. This is a positive trend for 3G uptake, as globally 3G penetration has grown with increase in smartphone penetration," it added.

Overall, Category A circles account for 40 percent of total mobile data followed by Category B circles, which account for 31 percent, metros (21 percent) and Category C circles 8 percent.