India Data Card market registered an annual shipments of 6.72 million units for the year ending June 2014. 4G Data Cards recorded a stunning growth of 281% in H2 over H1 2014-6Wresearch

The India Data Card market which was previously commanded by the CDMA segment is now witnessing a strong shift towards GSM based Data Cards. The growing penetration of 3G/4G services has increased the demand of the GSM segment. Increasing digital lifestyles among the Indian consumers is expected to further boost the demand for Data Cards in the Indian market.

According to 6Wresearch, India Data Card market registered an annual shipments of 6.72 million units. HUAWEI sustained its market leadership followed by ZTE and MICROMAX. In terms of unit shipments, India Data Card market experienced a decline of 16% in H2 over H1 2014.

Table: India Data Card Market, By EDGE Class Type

        Source: 6Wresearch India Data Card Market Annual Tracker

     Key Highlights

1. Huawei, ZTE and Micromax together constitute more than 81% share of the India Data Card Market
2. Dongles having downlink speed of 7.2 MBPS captured around 41% share
3. More than 36 vendors shipped Data Cards
4. GSM Data Cards registered 69% share of the market

India Data Card market witnessed an increase in demand for HSDPA 14.4, HSDPA 21.6 and LTE based Data Cards. Further, 4G enabled Data Cards registered 7% share of the market. However, these Data Cards exhibited an amazing growth of 281% in H2 over H1 2014. Further, 4G enabled Data Cards are further likely to witness significant growth over the coming quarters as a result of increasing demand for high-speed internet.

The manufacturers have been concentrating in the open Data Card market to provide more feasible options for the Indian consumers. Rise in the adoption of internet-enabled devices like tablets, smart TV’s and laptops among the Indian customers is likely to boost the demand for WI-FI based Data Cards in the market. Recently, HUAWEI has launched seven new Wi-Fi data cards in the Indian market.

Increasing demand for social media, internet, gaming, mobile banking and other data centric services acts as some of the major growth drivers for the India Data Card market. Additionally, government initiatives in mobile broadband penetration, customer awareness and low cost data plans would further assist the growth of India Data Card Market.