TRAI Report
The volume of total wireless data usage increased from the
last 5 years (2014) 828 million GB to 46 million TB during the year 2018 and
not stopping there, the usage by users in 2019 is expected to surpass the
previous year by a significant margin since it has already touched of 55
million TB till September 2019, consistent with a TRAI analysis. Total number
of wireless data subscribers increased from 281.58 million at the top of year
2014 to 664.80 million at the end of September 2019 and achieving a yearly
growth rate of 36.36 % in 2018 over 2017 (Y-o-Y), TRAI said.
"The volume of total wireless data usage increased
from the last 5 years 828 million GB
during to 46.4 million TB during the
year 2018-19. The wireless data usage within the year 2019 is predicted to
surpass the previous year usage by a big margin as reflected by usage of 55
million TB till September 2019", TRAI said.
In 2018, 46,406 million GB data was used and in 2017, it was
20 million TB. Before 2016, only 4 million TB data were used, the analysis
noted.
The regulator said the last four years have witnessed
unprecedented growth in wireless data usage for communication and
entertainment. With the entry of a replacement TSP using future Evolution
(LTE)/4G technology and therefore the subsequent gradual adaptation of this
technology by the leading incumbents, data usage has grown by leaps and bounds,
and it's expected to grow further in future also.
Up-gradation of mobile networks from last 2 years 2G to 4G in
large parts of the country in conjunction with the availability of smartphones
at relatively affordable prices is driving the mobile Internet subscriptions.
On one hand, with the steep decline in tariffs of telecom
services, affordability has increased, on the other hand the content, not only
in English but in regional languages
also, is quickly available at affordable prices to the consumers. As a result,
consumption of knowledge has increased multi-fold.
Access to the web has empowered tens of many users, giving
them access to real-time information, government services, emarkets, and social
media. This development has a positive impact on improving their quality of
life with digital information.
