Data from Wireless World Forum?s ?Indian Mobile Market 2006? statistical handbook reveals that mobile ownership will pass 100 million in 2007 as ?the largest middle class in the world? takes up ownership. With 115.3 million forecasted mobile owners in 2007, India ranks 3rd in the world behind only China and the USA.
Indian mobile owners are becoming younger as a result of cheaper calls, subsidized handsets and widespread availability of prepay lowering the barriers to ownership.
Relatively low GDP combined with the popularity of prepay still exerts downward pressure on ARPU in India. Average revenues stand at under $8 per month in 2006, lower than the global average at $21.30.
25 ? 29 year olds spend the most, with ARPU at over $8pcm. The rising use of data services, particularly SMS, has stemmed ARPU decline in this age group. This is not the case among older users where ARPU is fast in decline, particularly among 35-39 year olds where we expect the greatest churn to postpaid contracts.
Early indications point to long term growth in the Indian mobile data market, albeit mainly confined to messaging based applications. With SMS pricing falling by up to 50%, traffic has risen sharply. Messaging revenues will pass 1$bn annually in 2007.
Data from Wireless World Forum?s ?Indian Mobile Market 2006? statistical handbook reveals that mobile ownership will pass 100 million in 2007 as ?the largest middle class in the world? takes up ownership. With 115.