4g-lte-india

Is Idea Cellular Challenged with 3G /4G-LTE Data Spectrum ?

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The just in time execution telecom specialist in India Idea Cellular owns 3G spectrum (900 or 2100 or both) in all of its top-5 circles and nine of its top-10 circles (except Karnataka, where it owns LTE spectrum). Idea owns LTE spectrum (1800 band) in four of its top-5 and six of its top-10 circles. It owns either 3G or LTE spectrum in all of its top-10 circles and owns 3G and LTE spectrum in five of the top-10 circles. Idea’s 3G spectrum footprint covers nearly 80% of its revenues, LTE footprint covers 61%, 3G or LTE footprint covers 87% and 3G and LTE footprint covers 53% of its revenues.

Having spectrum is important of course

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Who will Buy RCom – MTS Sistema’s 800Mhz LTE Spectrum ?

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800MHz LTE SpectrumReliance Communication’s 850 Mhz spectrum can allow 4G LTE entrants to have 10MHz in the attractive 850 spectrum band, allowing them to have both capacity and coverage, which incumbents may find tough to replicate in a few markets However benefits for 4G entrants will be short term, unless they renew these radio waves as and when they are put to auction. Separately, if the pending RCOM-SSTL merger is approved, 4G new entrants can access an additional 5MHz of spectrum in 850 in eight additional markets, and this could be used for coverage.

RCOM is using the 850 spectrum band today for voice and data cards, and once the spectrum is deployed for

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Idea’s Risk of Spectrum Renewal in 2015 Auction, LTE Delay A Risk ?

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Idea Spectrum Renewal ChallengeIn the upcoming 2015 mega spectrum auctions, Idea Cellular has 900 Mhz spectrum up for renewal in 9 circles accounting for about 72% of Idea’s last twelve month (LTM) revenues. In 2 circles (Gujarat and UP (West)), Idea has almost no back-up spectrum to offer voice services and about 15% of its revenues from these circles would be at high risk if it is unable to renew the spectrum.

In the upcoming spectrum auctions in February 2015, 59 MHz of 900 MHz and 9.2 Mhz of 1800 Mhz frequency of Idea are coming up for renewal. If we take DoT reserve prices as the auction price, we expect total renewal outgo to be Rs172 bn for Idea following the auction.

Idea has significant gaps in its

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Why Airtel’s 4G Tariff Converge with 3G in some Circles ?

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In circles where Airtel offers 4G services, it now offers 4G-LTE data at the same tariff as 3G (in some higher-end dongle plans 4G is even cheaper than 3G). We believe this is a significant event in the life cycle of 3G in India. While we are yet to see any operator launch 4G on 1800 MHz, if the pricing here is the same as on 4G on 2300 MHz (very likely), we foresee a situation where 3G networks will be competing against newer networks of far superior capability (on speed, coverage and cost).

How Profitable is 3G Data Service as an Incremental Offering in India ?
While world over the experience on data profitability is not clear, Indian telcos have consistently claimed that the data business

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Which Way will India Go 3G or 4G-LTE ?

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India Mobile Data 3G 4GDespite growth takeoff, 3G penetration is merely 7-10% of the existing mobile subscriber base in India. One key deterrent to a broad based data adoption has been expensive 3G handsets. With the launch of Android One the USD 100 handset segment has seen more depth. With the availability of low-cost 3G smartphones, existing subscribers are unlikely to continue using 2G feature phones, opting instead to make the switch to 3G smartphones; in this respect, the trends over the last six months have been very encouraging. We believe the trend will now change in favour of low cost smartphones versus feature phones.

Furthermore 3G coverage is expected to improve; more so as incumbent telcos gear up to contest 4G launch by Reliance Jio. Given this first positive

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What is the State of 4G LTE Globally ?

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State of 4G LTE GloballyAs we began the year 2014, 244 Wireless Operators have commercially launched LTE networks in 92 countries and 499 operators investing in LTE in 143 countries.

4G LTE can be deployed in two different combinations and the Relative Comparison of FDD LTE vs. TDD LTE is as shown below.
Deployment Frequency – TDD is offered primarily in the above – 2 GHz spectrum range whereas FDD is offered in the sub-2 GHz spectrum (700, 800, 900, 1800, 2100)
Paired Spectrum – TDD does not require paired spectrum as both transmission and reception occur on the same channel. FDD requires paired spectrum with sufficient frequency separation to allow simultaneous transmission and reception. TDD LTE ensures maximization of available bandwidth as the download to upload ratio are flexible.

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Idea – 2G Tariff Stable, 3G Expansion, 4G-LTE Not in Medium Term

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Idea Cellular 4G LTE StrategyIdea’s CEO suggests that voice tariffs are still rising and likely to stay firm over the next 3-6 months. In contrast with initial concerns, Idea appears comfortable with market share trends indicated by TRAI’s latest revenue data for the industry. Traffic growth is slower than before and competition from smaller operators has intensified in certain circles but these are unlikely to disrupt Idea’s marketing strategies.

Idea does not foresee any risk of new

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4G LTE Full deployment Vs Hot-zone deployment – Aircel, Tikona

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4G LTE Deployments in IndiaSo Far Airtel is the only operator which has launched 4G-LTE Data Services in India. Tikona and Aircel are in a dilemma on what approach they want to take for their 4G LTE Deployments. Here are the two options before the operator – either full deployment or hot-zone deployment. Full deployment means availability of 4G network over the entire city/town whereas hot zone deployment could be done by providing a 4G network in key zones of a city. Operators would have to choose the trade off between higher capex and shorter reach, based on

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Broadband / Mobile Internet in India @ Tipping Point – Big Take Off

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Broadband Internet in India - Big Take OffIndia’s internet story is at a tipping point, underpinned by favourable demographics, expanding access to high-speed wireless networks, cheaper broadband connections, and a proliferation of cheaper devices. By 2015, we estimate India’s internet user base to rise to 300m, almost 3x the current base. Large, single-ticket deal sizes of private equity and venture capital funds indicate that well positioned companies are set for rapid growth.

A number of enabling factors for driving up India’s internet penetration are now in place. Affordability has increased due to lower access charges

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