Popularity of multifunctional device usage main reason behind data usage growth: Deloitte

NEW DELHI: The reason behind the exponential growth in data usage is the popularity of multifunctional devices, according to a recent survey conducted by the global consultancy firm, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.

The survey highlights several opportunities and challenges on the horizon for the telecom industry.

As per the online survey conducted in eight metropolitan cities, laptops and smartphones are the devices that are most used to access the internet. While 64% of the respondents use smartphones to access the net, only 24% use tablets for the same.

Mobile network remains the key connectivity channel for smartphone users with 60% of them using it for data access. As for laptop users, 80% of them access the internet through fixed broadband.

More than 60% of the 2,000 respondents interviewed online say that they paid hefty bills, much beyond their expectations over the past 12 months, with data usage and roaming charges being the main reason behind it.

Data packs have become more affordable as a result of competition and a saturated mobile voice market that forced operator to offer very competitive capped data packages.

According to Deloitte India's senior director Neeraj Jain, telecom operators need to invest a lot more in network infrastructure to support growing multimedia traffic and optimize network quality service. The study reveals that the quality of network for voice and network has become the key differentiating factor instead of price.

For the customers, battery life remains the key decisive factor before procuring a smartphone while they follow by the brand value in case of a tablet.

Along with the growth in smartphones, investment in mobile applications has fueled the popularity of apps amongst mobile users. Smartphones still remain the main choice for quick search, social networks and email.