India to have 21.3 m 3G users by 2010: Study

India is expected to have 21.3 million 3G users (11 per cent of the mobile lines) by 2010. Within two years, India is expected to take over Japan to become the third largest mobile market in the world after China and the US. This was the finding of The Confederation of Indian Industry’s (CII) report titled, “Enabling India’s Broadband Economy - The 3G Way”, a market study conducted by CII in partnership with the research firm The Yankee Group.

According to report, keeping in view that as on date we have managed only one million broadband users against a target of three million to have been achieved by December 2005, there is a need to exploit the 3G technologies to enhance the penetration of broadband access particularly in the congested urban areas as well as to make available the benefits of e-governance features to our rural population.

Considering that the migration from 2G to 3G is inevitable the earlier we are prepared for it the better it will augur for both the industry as well as the consumers at large, thereby enabling the country’s economy to achieve double digit growth .

Speaking at the unveiling of the report, The Yankee Group Wireless / Mobile Asia-Pacific program manager Farid Yunus said, “India’s mobile market is growing at an impressive rate and will only be bettered with improved coverage in rural areas and mobile penetration. Regulatory bodies and policy makers will have to address contentious issues like spectrum, which are critical for growth.

3G services will usher in greater range of handsets and services and applications that will positively impact the growth of India’s broadband market.” He also stressed that 3G- both WCDMA & EVDO, offer the most expedient and cost-effective means of providing broadband access in mobile environment. [3G!]

Read More: CIOL