MUMBAI: Majority of mobile handset users in India prefer unlimited internet data tariffs as compared to a specific usage based plan, according to a report by Ernst & Young.
According to the report, almost 54 per cent of the users in India prefer unlimited mobile data for a fixed price per month and confusion over data tariffs and lack of guidance from operators on the value of new services are limiting the adoption of mobile data services. The survey was conducted across 12 countries including US, UK, China, Australia and Russia to highlight short and medium-term issues faced by operators.
While one in three respondents claim that they cannot understand mobile data tariffs effectively, only one in five customers state that they can make an accurate judgment on the best tariff option available to them.
In India, 31 per cent of the respondents said they clearly understand mobile data tariffs offered by operators, which is the highest amongst others. In US, only 16 per cent respondents said they can understand the data plans while as many as 24 per cent understand data plans in UK and Russia.
Ernst & Young global partner Prashant Singhal said, “It is imperative for mobile operators to spread more awareness about the improved security and privacy features enabling the end consumer to effectively access mobile Internet services, especially in case of mobile money transfer or payment through mobile services.”
The report also states that rising smartphone buys means that more than one in three mobile customers are using services such as web browsing, instant messaging and social media on their devices. 3G customers are a high-value segment and in India, the average monthly spend of post-paid and pre-paid 3G users stands at USD 43 and USD 27 respectively, while in US, the figures stand at USD 115 and USD 78.