3G mobile subscriber base to reach 90 mn by 2013: Report

19 Jan 2009, 2158 hrs IST, IANS

NEW DELHI: Third generation (3G) mobile subscribers in India will reach 90 million by 2013, forming 12 percent of the overall wireless base, an industry report released on Monday said.

A new report by industry association Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and telecom consulting firm BDA, said, "3G service revenues will reach $15.8 billion by 2013, accounting for 46 percent of the total wireless service revenue".

The report estimates that the annual 3G device sales will reach 81.3 million by 2013, with replacement market contributing to 52 percent of device sales in that year.

The 3G device revenues are expected to be $11.2 billion with the high price handsets segment contributing to 59 percent of annual sales revenue.

The report also said the contribution of non-voice services (including short messaging service and data card access) will increase from the current level of 9 percent to about 23 percent in the overall average revenue per user (ARPU).