Though we have only 7 million Broadband subscribers in India (Fig update-Qtr End Mar-09), this hasn’t damped the Telegeography from predicting the Upbeat future for Global Broadband Connections in near future. According to GlobalComms Insight, by the end of 2013, the number of Broadband subscribers across globe will touch the mark of 700 million, growing by 72{af589cdba9d77786c8c861317dbad60bba1e2ebbf56e2ffab874a1b59fde9ce3}, while wireless subscription will have grown over two billion, an increase of 60{af589cdba9d77786c8c861317dbad60bba1e2ebbf56e2ffab874a1b59fde9ce3}. The survey also predicts that: number of fixed lines will also fall over in next five years, but the decline will be gradual and will be offset by growth in Wireless & Broadband segment. In short, GlobalComm insight predicts that by the end of 2013, there will be no fewer than 2.5 billion net new subscribers or revenue generating units.
The research also states that Asia-Pacific region will continue to dominate the global market in terms of subscribers’ number with almost 50{af589cdba9d77786c8c861317dbad60bba1e2ebbf56e2ffab874a1b59fde9ce3} of global share, but they will account to only 28{af589cdba9d77786c8c861317dbad60bba1e2ebbf56e2ffab874a1b59fde9ce3} of global market value. Though North America’s impact in subscriber figure will reduce to only 7{af589cdba9d77786c8c861317dbad60bba1e2ebbf56e2ffab874a1b59fde9ce3} of global share, they will continue to hold 23{af589cdba9d77786c8c861317dbad60bba1e2ebbf56e2ffab874a1b59fde9ce3} of global market value. This is really significant finding to note.
Which countries will dominate the growth figures? Which 3G services will push the numbers? What regulator policies will help in achieving the targets? Will India be the frontrunner in Broadband space? We will have to wait for answers to some of these questions. But here in India, where we are still awaiting for spectrum allocation (or rather release) for 3G/WiMAX and consequentially rise of Data Industry, these predictions sound highly inflated. Unless and until we have clear policy guidelines on 3G/HSPA or NGN, it is very likely that we might miss the bus with great margin. Time has come to really push forward the Broadband agenda in next five years. Now it is with policymakers to decide the right time for auction without further delay. Unless we push forward for 3G/WiMAX, we are likely to remain Internet Clogged country in coming years. Till then, Wait & Watch!
