4G/LTE in India: Changing the rules of the game

While 3G sparked the revolution in Indian smartphone industry, 4G/ LTE is set to take it forward in the coming years. Each generation of mobile technology upgrade raises the bar on how much data it can consume, and that’s what is expected out of 4G LTE in India. India is inching quicker to a superior and competent technology platform for mobile communication.

With India’s mobile data traffic set to explode 13 fold from 2014 to 2019, Industry experts predict that LTE will be a game changer in Indian mobile ecosystem that includes operators, device vendors, app developers and OTT players. Consumer outlook for mobile handsets are becoming more and more urbane. There is a demand for an improved user experience with more highly developed applications on a more ergonomic gadget.

According to Cyber Media Research (CMR), India shipped around 5.7 million units of LTE devices during the second quarter of 2015, and smartphones contributed 97% of the total share. In view of this growth, CMR predicts that India will have total 11 million units of 4G devices by the end of the calendar year.

With coming of 4G, it will allow service providers to offer amazing applications. In India, young generation is faster in embracing new technologies. Operators offering LTE are eyeing this category of customers who are ready to spend a few hundred rupees on data package to enjoy their favorite movies, music and games or make video calls. Thanks to the availability of supporting devices in affordable price range, LTE in India is expected to deliver these capabilities.

The future of LTE in India will depend primarily on three factors: 1. Infrastructure 2. Availability of LTE smartphones 3. Availability of smart content. While concerns over spectrum availability and network infrastructure still remain among Indian operators, smartphone vendors and content providers are optimistic about the success of LTE in India.

What is driving 4G Smartphones in India?

The Price Factor: The first and foremost prerequisite for 4G service is the supporting device that delivers the speed and performance offered by the provider. The market has witnessed the launch of several devices targeting 4G users, and the growth has been astounding. There are smartphones like OPPO R7 Plus and R7 Lite that are offered with excellent performance features capable of delivering a seamless 4G experience to users.

The Data Factor: Growth of 4G is inevitably attributed to the surge in mobile data. The growth of Over-the-Top (OTT) services has also created the need for high-performing networks, and 4G was a natural progression to address this demand.

The Mobility Factor– Initial trends indicate that retail customers are driving the market for 4G LTE in India. With data playing a key role in advancing digital revolution in India, LTE enabled devices find strong use cases in applications like m-banking, m-commerce, e-learning, e-governance and mobile entertainment. Being the fastest and more reliable network, LTE offers a platform whereas smartphones with LTE capabilities act as facilitators for these services.

The Form Factor: Smartphones with larger display and high resolution cameras have captured the Indian smartphone market recently. Displays ranging from 5 inches to 6 inches are the most popular among users who prefer using their smartphones for watching movies, playing games or reading. Similarly high resolution cameras –both front and rear – are becoming the preferred choice of customers. Another major concern is battery life is for users who use multiple apps on their smartphones. Longer battery life ensures lengthy conversation and uninterrupted entertainment.

The data-hungry apps also demand high-end processors and reasonable internal memory. Leading smartphone vendors in India have realized these opportunities and have come up with the best mix of specs to suit the demands from modern customers.

India, the third largest country in terms of smartphone adoption, has achieved only 30% penetration in 2014, signifying the immense possibilities for handset makers and other ecosystem providers. The digital friendly millennial customers and the increasing 4G penetration are expected to drive the growth in the coming years.