 "70% smartphones shipped are now 4G-ready: Study")
4G (fourth generation) is a mobile communications standard intended to replace 3G, allowing wireless internet access at a much higher speed. LTE or long-term evolution is a 4G mobile communications standard.
During the quarter some 35 million smartphones have been shipped in the country - up 23 per cent over a year ago. Total handset shipment clocked 80 million - highest ever. "India witnessed record quarter for smartphone and feature phone shipments during Q3 2016. The demand for smartphones is being fuelled by growing importance of being uber-connected, which is further catalysed by rollout of LTE networks," the report noted.
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As Reliance Jio expands its reach with 4G Voice over LTE (VoLTE) technology, shipment of VoLTE smartphones is also growing. Nearly 80 per cent of the 4G handsets were VoLTE-enabled during the quarter. "VoLTE is becoming a key feature from marketing perspective for original equipment manufacturers and carriers," the report noted.
Research agency CyberMedia Research estimates Jio's subscriber base to expand to 25 million.
Samsung led the pack with 22.6 per cent share of the smartphone market in its kitty. Its share, however, fell from 25.6 per cent in June quarter. Micromax held fort at the second spot with 9.9 per cent market share, followed by Lenovo with 9.2 per cent. The Chinese firm dislodged Intex from the third spot. Lava emerged as the fastest growing Indian brand during the quarter with a y-o-y volume sales growth of 8 per cent. "Reliance Jio's LYF brand climbed up to number four spot benefiting from the commercial launch and attractive trial period offer to consumers," the report said.
Xiaomi captured the fifth spot with 6.4 per cent market share. Two of the other Chinese brands - Oppo and Vivo saw their shipments grow by 272 per cent and 437 per cent y-o-y, respectively.