Karnataka records lowest mobile internet users
Tuesday, Sep 24, 2013, 13:03 IST | Place: Bangalore | Agency: DNA
Only 9.3% of users in the country are from Karnataka
Karnataka has the lowest mobile internet penetration in the country. According to data compiled by various reports by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, Karnataka has 9.3% mobile internet users in the country, which records the lowest percentage in India. At 33.67%, Maharashtra has the maximum number of mobile internet users, while Jammu and Kashmir stands second at 26.53%.
Surprisingly, when it comes to broadband subscribers, the state is among the top four in the country. Also, India’s mobile internet boom has begun with growth in the sale of smartphones. Though smartphone users have increased over 50% in the last year, the total smartphone users as a percentage of total subscribers is only 6-7%. For Karnataka, the figure stands at 2%.
Service providers, however, see a huge opportunity in Karnataka, since people here have always been more open to new technology.
“Our customers are largely the youth or upwardly mobile working professionals. In Karnataka, we see a 20% penetration or adoption of mobile internet services. With 3G services now available at 2G price, we look forward to a robust opportunity and growth providing better browsing experience,” says Rohit Tandon, MBU head – Karnataka Circle, Tata DOCOMO.
According to G Krishna Kumar, vice-president at the Bangalore Symphony Teleca, who also tracks the mobile sector in India closely, service providers need to be more active in spreading awareness among consumers in state.
“People in Bangalore and Mysore might actively use mobiles for internet surfing. However, the same might not be true for districts like Hubli and Dharwad. Hence, service providers need to increase awareness of mobile internet in these areas. The true impact of the technology on the society can be realised only if we have localised content that can help in improving education level,” says Kumar.
Also, some feel tablets are used more for internet use than mobiles. According to Rohit Malhotra, chief executive officer, Bharti Airtel, Karnataka Circle, there are around 10,000 tablets and 1.8 lakh smartphones that are sold in Karnataka.
“The overall tablet user base in the state is 1.5 lakh, which has grown by 150% in the last six months, and the overall smart phone user base is 4.5 million in the state that has grown by 35% in the last six months,” says Malhotra.
Surprisingly, when it comes to broadband subscribers, the state is among the top four in the country. Also, India’s mobile internet boom has begun with growth in the sale of smartphones. Though smartphone users have increased over 50% in the last year, the total smartphone users as a percentage of total subscribers is only 6-7%. For Karnataka, the figure stands at 2%.
Service providers, however, see a huge opportunity in Karnataka, since people here have always been more open to new technology.
“Our customers are largely the youth or upwardly mobile working professionals. In Karnataka, we see a 20% penetration or adoption of mobile internet services. With 3G services now available at 2G price, we look forward to a robust opportunity and growth providing better browsing experience,” says Rohit Tandon, MBU head – Karnataka Circle, Tata DOCOMO.
According to G Krishna Kumar, vice-president at the Bangalore Symphony Teleca, who also tracks the mobile sector in India closely, service providers need to be more active in spreading awareness among consumers in state.
“People in Bangalore and Mysore might actively use mobiles for internet surfing. However, the same might not be true for districts like Hubli and Dharwad. Hence, service providers need to increase awareness of mobile internet in these areas. The true impact of the technology on the society can be realised only if we have localised content that can help in improving education level,” says Kumar.
Also, some feel tablets are used more for internet use than mobiles. According to Rohit Malhotra, chief executive officer, Bharti Airtel, Karnataka Circle, there are around 10,000 tablets and 1.8 lakh smartphones that are sold in Karnataka.
“The overall tablet user base in the state is 1.5 lakh, which has grown by 150% in the last six months, and the overall smart phone user base is 4.5 million in the state that has grown by 35% in the last six months,” says Malhotra.
No comments:
Post a Comment