2015 India - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband
Current publication date:- October 2015 (21st Edition)
On the regulatory front there were positive signs of a market improving on the back of restructuring. Figures from the TRAI showed that Mobile Number Portability (MNP) was working well. The process of auctioning spectrum was also working well – despite criticism that the reserve prices had been set to high. The removal of the cap on foreign investment in the telecom sector was yet another strong signal to the market of the government’s intentions. The telecom market was still waiting on regulatory guidance with respect to mergers and acquisitions, however; this was important for the process of market consolidation to continue.
In the meantime, the fixed-line market, which had grown strongly over a number of years, began experiencing zero and then negative growth. Fixed-line subscriber numbers stood at around 26 million by early 2015. With less than 3% fixed-line penetration, India had nevertheless achieved a remarkable national coverage, with 99% of the population having some form of access to a telephone. The heavy investment in telecoms infrastructure over the last decade or so, plus a number of key regulatory initiatives that have combined to see India’s huge population delivered at least some level of telephone service.
In terms of the internet and online access, there have been a number of efforts by the government to promote broadband internet throughout the country; broadband development had long been languishing, but there was new hope for a serious expansion phase in this segment of the market. By early 2015 there were around 15.5 million fixed broadband subscribers – a lowly penetration (by population) of slightly more than 1%. Meanwhile, mobile broadband was finally having an impact on the market and in the medium term this was expected to lift broadband penetration significantly. By March 2015 there were already more than five mobile broadband subscribers for every fixed broadband subscriber.
Although still facing serious functional and regulatory challenges, there is much that is positive to be found in India’s telecom industry. Sweeping reforms introduced by successive governments over the last decade or so have dramatically changed the nature of telecommunications in the country. A number of factors have been responsible for the amazing growth in India’s telecom sector; apart from the obvious booming economy and the rapid expansion in the country’s middle class, the growth drivers include low tariffs, low handset prices and most notably a highly competitive market created by the government and the regulators.
2.3 Spectrum auction – March 2015
4.1 Major operators in India
4.1.2 Unified Access Service Licences (UASL)
4.1.4 BSNL/MTNL
4.6 Hughes Telecom
4.7 Idea Cellular
4.8 Loop Mobile
4.8.2 Bharti Airtel’s proposed buy out
4.8.3 Deactivation of Loop’s network
4.9.4 Fixed-line and broadband business
4.17.4 Corporate background
4.17.5 Operational background
4.17.8 4G / LTE
4.18.2 MVNO market
5.1.3 Forecasts - fixed-line subscribers – 2015; 2017; 2020
5.1.8 National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN)
6.3 Forecasts- internet services – 2015; 2017: 2020
8.1.2 TV piracy
9.2 Slowing subscriber growth
9.5 Forecasts - Mobile services – 2015; 2017; 2020
9.8.1 Tariffs changes for mobile broadband
9.8.2 Roaming charges
9.9.3 Spectrum auction – March 2015
9.10 ‘One nation, one number’
9.11 2G corruption scandal
9.11.1 Allegations
9.11.2 Cancelled licences
9.11.4 Court decision, appeal and aftermath
9.11.5 CBI Report – April 2015
9.12.1 Preparation for re-auctioning
9.12.2 Re-auctioning of 2G spectrum – November 2012
9.12.3 Re-auctioning of 2G spectrum – March 2013
9.12.4 Pre the 2G licence re-auction – February 2014
9.12.5 Re-auctioning of 2G spectrum – February 2014
Table 11 – Telephone services to villages – March 2015
Table 12 – Historical - Number of telecom licences issued by category – 2007 - 2008
Table 13 – Number of telecom licences issued by category – 2013
Table 15 – Mobile operators - subscribers and annual change – 2013
Table 61 – Forecast fixed line subscribers and penetration rates – 2015; 2017; 2020
Table 65 – Historical - Fixed WLL subscribers – 2004 - 2006
Table 67 – Historical - Fixed internet subscribers and penetration – 1995 - 2005
Table 72 – Forecast fixed internet subscribers – 2015; 2017; 2020
Table 82 – Total TV industry estimated revenue – 2000 - 2014
Table 99 – GSM mobile operators, subscribers and market share – March 2015
Table 100 – GSM ARPU by operator grouping, prepaid/postpaid/blended – 2014
Table 102 – CDMA mobile operators, subscribers and market share – 2014
Table 104 – CDMA ARPU – 2003 - 2015
Table 105 – CDMA ARPU by region/circle, prepaid/postpaid/blended – 2013
Exhibit 10 – ISRO satellite network
Exhibit 15 – Operators issued DTH licences – March 2015
Exhibit 18 – 3G auction results: Service area licences by operator – 2010