Why are mobile networks congested?
The reasons are as under.
- The total quantum of spectrum assigned for data to the industry is only 120 MHz (Weighted averaged using industry revenue weights for each circle).
- The total quantum of spectrum unassigned and lying with the government is 100 MHz.
- The industry is unable to buy additional spectrum as Indian Spectrum prices are highest in the world.
- Indian data usage is fueled by prices which are the lowest in the world.
- The industry is increasing 4G BTS counts despite depressed revenues, but there is a limit to which they can go.
- Not all operators are able to use the spectrum efficiently and spectrum of those exiting the business is lying idle.
The figure below captures the story.
Bottom-Line - High prices of spectrum coupled with extremely low prices of data will continue to choke the network, thereby preventing the users from truely experiencing services which carry on top of these networks. Therefore, unless the regulators drastically reduce the prices of the data spectrum, the day is not far when the experience of 4G will be pooer than that of the technologies deployed in the past.
(Views expressed are of my own and do not reflect that of my employer)
PS: Find the list of other relevant articles in the embedded link.
Div. Engr. at BSNL, Kolkata. l Business Analytics & Data Science Learner
5yThis is the grim reality for Indian consumers, Sir. Spectrum prices are intentionally kept high to encash from private players who again buy it with huge bank loans never to be repaid. Indian economy has become a gameplay for political interests.
歐陽詝 • Barcelona School of Economics
5yJohn Fletcher
DGM - Estate Management & ROW at Tata Teleservices Ltd
5yMinimum Rollout Obligation should be done away with for Legacy technology so that precious spectrum is freed up to decongest existing technologies.
NGSO Satcom infra & services consultant. Fellow IETE, Member ITU-APT Foundation of India, Ex- ITS & Exec Director ( Core Nw), BSNL. EX-Consultant SES.
5ySituation is well described and congestion is increasing due to higher data throughout expected in days to come. 5 G is becoming a necessity for mobile communications. It is high time to look in by the regulatory institution to take a note of it and resolve the congestion without any additional financial spectrum burden to operators . It shall be appreciated in case we let inter operator roaming of mobile calls for optimal use of purchased spectrum by operators, who have it and not requisite traffic to fully utilise it.