Facts about Indian Internet – Beginning of Revolution ?
Not many of us agree that India ranks in the Top 10 across the World when it comes to Internet user base, but has only four Internet firms listed on Stock Exchanges. India has amongst the best demographics for the Internet, with 50% of the population being younger than 25 years, but only 3% of ad-spends online.India’s Internet penetration trails China’s 35% penetration by far, despite having started well before China in providing Internet access. Indian universities had Internet access in 1988—a full six years before Chinese universities did. United Nations has proposed that Internet access be recognised as a fundamental human right and still India counts 256 Kbps as broadband and serves 35% of its customers.
However, on the positive side, Internet penetration in India has been increasing rapidly, as cost of access is falling dramatically,
3G Data Vs EVDO Based Services [Photon, Reliance NetConnect, etc]
We conducted a field survey in Bangalore City to ascertain consumer and channel partner behavior post 3G launch. The main aim of this study was to find if there is any shift from CDMA 1x data to 3G ?
CDMA operators’ EVDO offerings – Tata Photon+, Reliance NetConnect Broadband+, BSNL EVDO, MTS MBlaze gave the power of super fast internet for executives and people on the move. We are not witnessing any shift to 3G technology from CDMA 1x technology, as users prefer unlimited data usage plans which are not available in 3G yet. Also, 3G dongle/modems are priced at CDMA 1x price points without any articulation of extra benefits to compensate for switching cost. Coverage of 3G is limited to handful of Cities while Reliance NetConnect Read the rest of this entry »
3G Data Pricing + Review – No Disruption Yet
Incumbent Telecom Operators who won 3G spectrum have begun to roll out 3G services across major towns and cities. Tata Docomo and Reliance Communications (RCOM) were the first off the mark, followed by Bharti Airtel which has launched services in 16 cities so far while Idea Cellular rolled out 3G in 10 cities last week.
A quick look at the pricing plan indicates 2GB data plan as the current standard and costs the same across all the players, Tata DoCoMo is the cheapest provider. Also Bharti Airtel /Idea Cellular /Reliance communications have priced the data plans less than 2GB at a significant premium to the 2GB plan. Airtel has steep charges for usage over 2 GB of Data. The followingChart shows Comparison of 3G Data Plan pricing in Mumbai Circle and is almost the same by respective operators Read the rest of this entry »
Airtel ready to takeover Qualcomm’s BWA / LTE Spectrum
Bharti Airtel is all set to buy Qualcomm’s India broadband wireless licenses for US$ 1.2 bn. Qualcomm has licenses in Delhi, Mumbai, Kerala and Haryana and paid US$ 1.1 bn in Jun 2010 during BWA (Broadband Wireless Access) spectrum auctions.
So what does this mean for Bharti Airtel’s Broadband / Wireless Data Strategy ?
Bharti would gain access to the lucrative high ARPU Mumbai and Delhi circles complementing its existing licenses in Maharashtra and Karnataka (RIL owned Infotel is the only LTE (Long Term Evolution) competitor in these circles). Bharti Airtel will have acquired the license almost at the same cost as Qualcomm acquired it for in Jun 10 but at a lower risk as now Read the rest of this entry »
Bharti would gain access to the lucrative high ARPU Mumbai and Delhi circles complementing its existing licenses in Maharashtra and Karnataka (RIL owned Infotel is the only LTE (Long Term Evolution) competitor in these circles). Bharti Airtel will have acquired the license almost at the same cost as Qualcomm acquired it for in Jun 10 but at a lower risk as now Read the rest of this entry »
Reliance WiMax – LTE Dilemma Advantage for 3G Operators
Reliance Industries Ltd [RIL] inherited by Mukesh Ambani is in a dilemma to choose WiMax or LTE for providing wireless broadband services. RIL invested close to USD 1 Bn for PAN India BWA license and since then is quiet on its plans. BWA licences are technology-neutral and both WiMax and LTE can be on the same spectrum however these licences allow only data services.
No Tower / Optical Fiber Network deals have been negotiated nor they are in the pipeline. Besides, the handsets/terminal equipment is a significant issue. LTE handsets irrespective of urban or rural rollout will require subsidies while dongles are already available across CDMA 1X and now also 3G mobile networks and tariffs are already competitive. Availability and Read the rest of this entry »
Airtel Raises GPRS / EDGE Internet Tariffs
Bharti Airtel has announced sharp increase in GPRS/WAP tariffs – browsing through its mobile office service (GPRS/EDGE) will be charged at 30p/20KB w.e.f. Jan 5, 2011 versus 30p/50KB earlier (effectively a 150% hike), while browsing on its Live WAP portal will be charged at 30p/20KB w.e.f. Dec 28, 2010 versus free of charge earlier. Browsing on its Live WAP portal will be charged at 30p/20KB w.e.f. Dec 28, 2010 versus free of charge earlier.
However, the good news is that pricing of data packs (2 GB at Rs66- 98 for a month) remains unchanged [BroadbandIndia recommends users to go with this Read the rest of this entry »
Tata DoCoMo 3G Plan Tariffs
By Webmaster - Last updated: Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Tata DoCoMo has released its 3G Plan tariffs to us and they stand as below. The plans are available between Rs 500 and Rs 2000 and are expensive as expected due to the huge spectrum cost.
The Rs 500 / Month plan will get you 750 Minutes of Calling with 250 MB of Data Download. This is useful for light users and we recommend this plan to somebody who has lots of e-maisl to attend on the go. Otherwise, with the data allowed for download you can watch around 60 Songs each of 4 Minutes 
The Rs 2,000 / Month plan will get you 5000 Calls and 2 GB of Data Transfer. Recommended for Read »
5 Years from Now – What Mobile Broadband Means to India ?
The Government paved the way for deployment of Mobile broadband over 3G and WiMax or LTE. It is now for the operators to build a healthy eco-system and offer Wireless Internet services. Here is what Industry Analysts expects on the Application of Wireless Broadband in India – Using Mobile / Hand-held Devices / Laptops etc.
- Mobile banking transactions are expected to be over 340 million in the year 2015 resulting in cost savings of approximately Rs. 11 billion
- Using Unique ID, a customer who has a mobile phone will be able to open a mobile linked no-frills account.
- Digital music sales are expected to grow at a CAGR of 24 percent between 2009 and 2013 to reach Rs. 3 billion in 2013.
- Online advertising in India is expected to grow with CAGR of 32 percent between 2009 and 2013 to touch Rs 20 billion in 2013.
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