Mobile data traffic in India nearly doubled in 2012: Nokia Siemens report

According to a report by Nokia Siemens Networks, there has been a 92 percent increase in mobile data traffic generated by both 2G and 3G services in India between December 2011 and December 2012. The study further reveals that mobile data traffic generated by 3G services increased by 196 percent while mobile data traffic generated by 2G services increased by 66 percent during the period.

The report adds that each 3G user currently consumes close to 300% more data on an average than a 2G user. For a 3G user, the average usage was 434 MB per month while a 2G user consumed 115 MB per month on average.

[caption id="attachment_807987" align="alignleft" width="380"] Representational Image. AFP[/caption]

The report notes that reduction of 3G tariffs by operators in mid 2012 led to the growth in 3G data consumption across the country and the services generated one-third of the total mobile data in the country in the second half 2012.

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The study further reveals that in category A circles, (these include Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra excluding Mumbai which is in Metro circle, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu) there is a very strong tendency to access mobile data using smartphones and that forty five percent of the total data accessed by smartphone users is generated in these circles. But it seems that 2G is still more popular in this circle.

"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. This translates into the need for high-quality mobile broadband services with improved speed and service quality to satisfy mobile broadband users," said Sandeep Girotra, head of India region at Nokia Siemens Networks.