India will have over 21 million 3G users by 2010: CII study

New Delhi, Apr 12 (UNI) India will have over 21 million Third Generation (3G) users by 2010 and will surpass Japan within two years to become the world's third largest mobile market after China and the US, according to a study by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII).

The study titled 'Enabling India's Broadband Economy - The 3G Way' was conducted by CII in association with the research firm The Yankee Group.

The report underlines the importance of 3G for boosting revenues and user numbers and thereby enabling India's broadband economy.

Releasing the report, Yankee Group Programme Manager (Wireless Mobile Asia-Pacific) Farid Yunus said, ''India's mobile market is growing at an impressive rate and will only be bettered with improved coverage in rural areas and mobile penetration.

Regulatory bodies and policy makers will have to address contentious issues like spectrum, which are critical for growth. 3G services will usher in greater range of handsets and services and applications that will positively impact the growth of India's broadband market.'' Mr Yunus stressed that 3G- both WCDMA&EVDO, offer the most expedient and cost-effective means of providing broadband access in mobile environment.

The report provides valuable insight into - rural coverage, mobile penetration, handsets, services and applications, alternate technologies, regulations and policies and the issues therein.

According to the industry chamber, ''The present study is an attempt to leverage and use ICT tools for the inclusive and sustained economic growth of India.'' Considering that the migration from 2G to 3G is inevitable the earlier the country is prepared for it the better it will augur for both the industry as well as the consumers at large thereby enabling the country's economy to achieve double digit growth, according to the CII study.

CII had, earlier, in March 2004 brought out a landmark study - 'India's Broadband Economy: Vision 2010'.

UNI MP SS GC1914