Nokia Reveals 4G as India's Major Source of Data Traffic

Nokia’s annual Mobile Broadband Index study of mobile broadband performance in India has revealed that 4G was the major source of data traffic across the country in 2016 with 60 percent of the incremental data payload from 2015 levels contributed by 4G.

Though 4G coverage is yet to penetrate across all circles, it contributed to 13 percent of the total data traffic pan-India in a span of year since launch. In metros alone, where the majority of 4G deployments have taken place, the contribution of 4G to data traffic was 26 percent. 3G continued with its growth trend contributing to 63 percent of total data payload.

According to the study, 4G monthly data usage per subscriber was over 1400 MB compared to nearly 850 MB per subscriber for 3G, primarily driven by faster download speeds over 4G networks and larger screen with higher resolution of 4G devices that accelerated data consumption. 4G enabled device ecosystem also grew tremendously supported by affordable devices, resulting in 2.7 times growth in a year. Together, 4G and 3G contributed to 76% of the data traffic across India. The report also noted that 2G saw a drop in volumes by 13% but remains the main carrier for voice telephony.

Data consumption amongst subscribers was largely driven by social media and messaging applications which were the anchor platforms that engaged users for the maximum time with nearly 90 percent of the users accessing it through their mobile devices. Video content remained the main growth engine for data traffic contributing upto 65 percent of total mobile data traffic.

According to the study, as 4G and 3G technology usage further increases, service providers will need to improve capacity through:

• Site connectivity to fiber and use of optical fiber backhaul as an efficient and higher capacity data transfer solution

• Technology evolution to 4.5G and 4.5G Pro

• Innovative technologies such as small cells to enhance capacity and provide better in-building accessAlso read: Oppo F3 Plus To Launch in India With Dual-Front Cameras: Watch Live Here