According to Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, the exponential growth in data usage is being driven by the use of multifunctional devices.
A recent online survey conducted by the research firm in eight metropolitan cities indicated that laptops and smartphones are the devices that are most widely used devices to access the internet. While 64 per cent of the respondents use smartphones to access the internet, only 24 per cent use tablets for the same. Mobile network remains the key connectivity channel for smartphone users with 60 per cent of them using it for data access. As for laptop users, 80 per cent of them access the internet through fixed broadband.
As per the survey results, more than 60 per cent of the 2,000 respondents interviewed online claim that they paid higher bills, then what they had paid over the past 12 months. The research firm attributes phenomenon of higher bills to increase in data usage and roaming charges by the service providers over the last few months.
According to Deloitte telecom operators need to invest a lot more in network infrastructure to support growing multimedia traffic and optimise network quality service. The survey results 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 go by the brand value while purchasing a tablet. Along with the growth in smartphones, investment in mobile applications has further contributed to the growing adoption of applications amongst mobile users. Smartphones continue to be the preferred device amongst users for carrying out quick search, social networks and email.
