| Mobile services to cross $25bn by 2011: Gartner |
| BS Reporter / Mumbai July 18, 2007 |
| India will continue to be the fastest growing country in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region next only to China, with cellular services estimated to reach $25.61 billion by 2011. The industry would register an 18.4% growth per annum through 2007-2011. Its revenues stood at $8.95 billion in 2006. The growth would be catalysed by Vodafone's entry, a fall in telecom tariffs, and emergence of inexpensive handsets. The revenues from data services will outpace voice revenue growth and contribute 22% by 2011 from the 9.6% in 2006, according to a study by global research and analyst firm Gartner. Gartner also projects cellular market penetration to increase to 38.6% by 2011 from 12.7% in 2006. The overall penetration would be driven mainly by an increased focus on the rural market, aggressive promotions by the operators, and handset bundling schemes. By 2011, around 58% of the rural population and 95% of the urban population would be mobile. |
