![]() Operators were better prepared during the second wave of COVID (Q1-Q2 2021) – being able to manage more of their network estates remotely but also having increased their spectrum holdings across a variety of bands. ![]() New spectrum boosts Jio’s performance and customer sentiment They also had to contend with disrupted supply chains and an inability at times to physically deploy network components. During the first wave of the pandemic, operators had to respond to a massive shift in traffic – from urban commercial centres to outskirts and residential areas in cities, and from urban to rural areas – and also growth in traffic due to lockdowns. Speeds have stagnated as a result, with median download speeds struggling to breach 10 Mbps during 20 according to Speedtest Intelligence data.ĬOVID and the implementation of lockdowns in the market have only served to complicate matters, leading to a delay in India’s much anticipated 5G auction and also to changes in consumer and enterprise demand. While 4G still has a way to go to support this growth, it’s clear that this combination of connections and data growth has put a strain on India’s 4G networks. In its June 2021 Mobility Report, Ericsson called the market out as one of the regions with the highest mobile data use per smartphone globally, at 14.6 GB per month, well above the global average of 9 GB and second only to the GCC states. ![]() This trend has only accelerated as more video streaming services have targeted the market and as a result of recent COVID-19-related lockdowns. ![]() Rapidly falling data prices, spurred by the arrival of Jio in the market, have contributed to strong increases in mobile data consumption. India has witnessed a rapid migration to mobile broadband services over the past five years, growing from 22.4%, of the more than 1 billion mobile connections in the country, on either 3G or 4G networks at the end of 2016, to over 70% by Q2 2021 according to GSMA Intelligence. Network congestion constrains India’s 4G speeds Launching later in the 5G tech cycle than planned will convey some benefits, for example the lower cost of 5G network equipment as the technology and vendor ecosystem matures, lower 5G smartphone prices and a larger pre-installed base of 5G-enabled smartphone users. Silver lining - the benefits to India’s 5G auction delay.Over the next 12 months, TRAI and the new Telecoms Minister will have to help build confidence in the market in the face of Vi India’s liquidity issues, as well as tackle the complexities of India’s upcoming spectrum auction and 5G launch. Pivotal year ahead for the Indian telecoms market.Recent 5G launches in Asia Pacific point to a potential 10x increase in median download speeds (5G vs 4G-LTE). 5G to bring a potential 10x bump in network speeds.Ookla® Speedtest Intelligence® data demonstrates the positive impact of additional spectrum on Jio’s 4G LTE network performance and on consumer sentiment. Recently acquired spectrum provides some relief.Existing spectrum holdings, network infrastructure and network congestion have served to depress Indian consumer download speeds, which have stagnated at or below 10 Mbps over the past two years. Network congestion has dragged down performance.
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