Nokia Networks' Study in India Shows 74% Increase in Mobile Data Traffic in 2014

Through its MBit Index study, which is its annual report on mobile broadband performance in India, Nokia Networks has revealed a 74% increase in mobile data traffic generated by both 2G and 3G mobile broadband services at the end of 2014, compared to the beginning of the same year. This rise was primarily driven by a strong 3G growth with 114% increase, while the 2G data traffic growth was reported to be 41%.

According to the study, 3G data consumption was 52% of the total data consumption in December 2014 as against 42% in January 2014. September 2014 witnessed 3G data consumption surpassing 2G use across India. On an average 3G data use increased to 688 MB per month in 2014, indicating a 29% jump compared to 2013. On an average 2G data use also increased to 216 MB per month, indicating a 48% jump, and improvements in 2G network quality for mobile broadband access. Also on an average a 3G user consumed 3.2 times more data than a 2G user in 2014. The study also revealed an increase in the Smartphone use in 2014, as consumers increasingly migrated to smart devices due to their affordability.

Sandeep Girotra, Vice President and Head of India Region, Nokia Networks, said: “The 2014 study results clearly show the strong momentum of 3G in India, which has been the primary driver for the data traffic growth. A surge in 3G and 4G compatible Smartphone use underlines the greater need for operators to expand the 3G network coverage and selectively rollout 4G services for higher speeds across all the circles while modernizing the existing 2G networks.”