Mumbai leads in 3G device penetration: study

Only 45 per cent capable 3G devices in India actually have 3G subscriptions, reveals a Nokia Networks study.

Releasing for the first time trends in India for the 3G and LTE (long-term evolution) device uptake, the study also said there are currently nearly 15 million 4G-capable devices in India.

India witnessed 26 per cent 3G subscription growth in a span of six months, while the 3G penetration in India stood at 24.59 per cent, which ascertained that there existed a huge opportunity for telecom operators to tap, according to the study.

The report said, one among every four Indians already has a capable 3G device (supporting 2100 MHz band) in their hand (225 million), while 3G subscribers today were only 100 million. Among these there were 15.58 per cent (144 million) 3G phone penetrations on 900 MHz. This could help boost 3G services in India in the 900 MHz band in future.

Mumbai is the clear leader in 3G device penetration, followed by Delhi, Kerala, Punjab and Kolkata. Cities other than metros also held huge potential for 3G and according to the study.

According to the study, around 25 per cent devices connected on mobile networks in the India were 3G-enabled, of which only 45 per cent smartphones were used for the high-speed Internet service.

The survey, further noted that 3G service was rapidly gaining popularity with users. Growth of 3G subscription in a span of six months rose by 26 per cent, while its penetration in India stood at 24.59 per cent, it said.

"A significant population of subscribers today has 3G enabled devices, which are still untapped. This shows there is a huge opportunity for telecom operators to tap," Nokia Networks Head of Technology India Amit Marwah told reporters in New Delhi.

The study further revealed that out of 650 million subscribers on mobile networks, 14.8 million people had 4G devices, however, subscription level was quite low.

Mumbai is the clear leader in 3G device penetration, followed by Delhi, Kerala, Punjab and Kolkata while

The survey by Nokia was based on a sample size of 650 million subscribers, around 65 per cent of the country's mobile base, connected with a telecom network.