The GSMA today announced that a 10% increase in broadband penetration in India which will contribute a combined US$80 billion (INR 3,506billion) of net revenues across the country’s transport, healthcare and education sectors by 2015.
The figures come from a new study, commissioned by the GSMA and conducted by analyst firm Analysys Mason, on the economic impact of Mobile Broadband growth on these key industry sectors.
Broadband connectivity is a driver of socio-economic improvement, fuelling economic growth across all industry sectors and contributing to enhance GDP.
According to Analysys Mason, a 10% increase in broadband penetration will lead to net growth revenue increases of 42% in the healthcare sector (equating to an additional INR 1,215 billion or US$ 27.4 billion), 36.8% in education (an extra INR 1,402 billion or US$ 31.2 billion) and 18.8% in the transport sector (an additional INR 889 billion or US$ 20 billion).
Robindhra Mangtani, Senior Director, GSMA, commented: “Simply put, if the Indian government allocates sufficient spectrum in the near future, it will open up a staggering economic opportunity. However, the current lack of spectrum remains a formidable obstacle to India benefiting from Mobile Broadband services and the government meeting its stated broadband connectivity target of 160 million Internet connections by 2014. India’s government must act quickly if it is to enact the proposed National Spectrum Act, which was announced by Communications Minister Kapil Sibal in April, and quickly allocate the urgently required spectrum to meet the high demand for Mobile Broadband services.
