Ericsson India targets double-digit growth, banking on telecom sector

Ericsson India said the company is ready to ride the wave of the telecom revolution in India and register double-digit growth in the coming couple of years.

In an interaction with Deccan Herald, Ericsson India Head (Engagement Practices) Nishant Batra said, “Our powerful portfolio comprising of mobile and fixed network infrastructure; telecom services; and software, broadband and multimedia solutions for operators, enterprises, and the media industry will leverage our double- digit growth in India,”he said.

According to Batra, as of Q1, 2015, Ericsson India contributed 7 per cent to its global sales. India is the second- largest market by contribution after the United States. As per Q1 net sales, 60 per cent comes from network infrastructure across 2G, 3G, and 4G; 31 per cent from global services; and 8 per cent from support solutions like software for operations and OSS/BSS as well as TV and media business.

As per Ericsson Mobility Report, the total number of mobile subscriptions in India is expected to increase to around 1.4 billion by 2020, primarily driven by increasing affordability. “The number of smartphone subscriptions is expected to reach over 750 million by 2020, up from 130 million in 2014,” states the study.

While the GSM/EDGE subscriber base is expected to peak in 2015 and decline thereafter, the report states that the WCDMA/HSPA or 3G subscriptions are expected to grow from over 120 million in 2014 to around 620 million by 2020.

Ericsson India has strengthened its position in hardware, software, and services. “In India, we are a leading player in Operations Support Systems/Business Support Systems (OSS/BSS) market with key strengths in service fulfillment, assurance, network optimisation, and real-time charging. Besides TV and media industry, we find good opportunity in the Wi-Fi sphere and the emergence of IoT also,” he said.

As data becomes the important crux of the business with video playing a vital role, telecom operators will have to open their network and service capabilities to players ranging from developers and OTT (over-the-top) players to digitally native consumers. “The network will be surrounded by IP systems and evolving. By upgrading the OSS and BSS capabilities, telecom players can give connected, real-time, online lifestyle for individuals and organisations,” he said.