30% of New Mobile Users from Rural India

TRAI’s last quarter report has an interesting stat that is an eye opener to many of the telecomplayers

– Of the 25 million customers added in the Apr-June quarter, 8 million are from rural areas!

• 70 million mobile users in villages (out of a total 300 million) compared with 40 million in September 2007 (out of 209 million).
• Nearly 75 per cent of mobile users in villages are now owned by private operators.
• mobile handsets costing less than $50 account for 62 per cent of all imported units (as per Yankee group) – source

The biggest impact for operators will be drop in ARPU numbers, but that means a great opportunity for startups/other players to build voice-specific VAS applications.

What’s your opinion?

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