MP: 4G service in line, 2G subscribers may jump over 3G
With leading mobile operators all set to launch fourth generation (4G) services in the Madhya Pradesh circle in next few weeks, a large number of subscribers may leapfrog from 2G to the 4G data service, giving 3G a miss, say experts.
With leading mobile operators all set to launch fourth generation (4G) services in the Madhya Pradesh circle in next few weeks, a large number of subscribers may leapfrog from 2G to the 4G data service, giving 3G a miss, say experts.
According to industry sources, the response of 3G in MP had been lukewarm until mid-2015 with only about 8% of the total subscribers using it. Though the 3G subscriber base has expanded in the last two quarters (July-December) and grown to about 11%, the fact remains that it has taken nearly five years after the 3G launch, say the sources.
“There is no MP-specific data for 3G users, but it is now estimated at 11%-12%,” an official of a private telecom company said on condition of anonymity.
With telecom firms, including Reliance Jio and Idea Cellular, ready to roll out 4G services in MP in the coming weeks, experts say consumer response will largely depend on the pricing.
“The 4G will get good response provided the pricing is aggressive as 2G is more voice-based and 3G will become obsolete. Nearly 90% of subscribers give only `100-150 revenue (per month), so focus will be on 10% subscribers,” telecom expert PVS Nagesh said.
According to reports, 4G-enabled handsets will be priced below `3,000 to woo consumers. In contrast to the days of the humble 2G, many people now access internet through mobile devices and the use of mobile internet has skyrocketed after affordable smart phones hit the market.
However, in Madhya Pradesh, mobile data usage is only just picking up. While there are 6.3 crore mobile subscribers in the Madhya Pradesh circle, which includes Chhattisgarh, mobile internet user base is around the 1.5-crore mark.
On an average, the Indian subscriber uses 90 MB of data per month on a 2G network and 350 MB on 3G.
GENERATION GAP
Since its launch in 2011, the 3G user base has grown to only about 11% in the state
With several telecom firms, including Reliance Jio and Idea, ready to roll out 4G services, a large number of subscribers may directly opt for it
Prices of 4G-enabled handsets may be kept low to woo subscribers
