60 per cent users face connectivity issue with mobile Internet

New Delhi: A large number of mobile users in India are facing poor network connectivity when accessing internet, according to a study released on Tuesday.

This comes at a time when mobile operators are complaining about over-the-top players eating into their revenues and there is a debate going on about net neutrality.

Mobile users face different mobile data issues depending upon location. “About 63 per cent of users report that they face quality and reliability issues, such as lost connections and inconsistent network speeds, when using mobile networks indoors,” said the study done across 33 major cities by telecom gear maker Ericsson.

Moreover, app-related issues while outdoors or commuting, such lengthy lag times, apps taking a long time to refresh, maps failing to load, and session failures affect 68 per cent of consumers, it said.

The study said that such problems are more common in mid-size and small towns compared to large cities. The study found that for those consumers in India who do not use mobile broadband, affordability and digital literacy are the prime obstacles to adoption. “Some 88 per cent of Indian consumers on 2G feel that mobile broadband is too expensive. About 53 per cent feel that mobile broadband adds no value and as many as 48 per cent believe there is no difference between 2G and 3G speeds,” said the study.

As per the study, only 10 per cent of mobile internet users feel they understand their plan perfectly, and are able to make an accurate judgement when deciding on a plan. The study said that due to drop in smartphone prices, the adoption of mobile internet within the lower socio-economic segment has increased over the last two years: from 38 per cent in 2013 to 45 per cent in 2015.

Three in five smartphone users use mobile broadband in urban India. Mid-size and small cities are showing higher smartphone penetration levels at 33 per cent, as opposed to the smartphone penetration levels of 27 per cent in big non-metros and large cities. At the same time, the study found that proportion of smartphone users above the age of 50 has quadrupled, from 1 per cent in 2013 to 4 per cent in 2015.