More than half of internet users battle speed issues: LocalCircles

Despite India's increasingly affordable and accessible internet, a recent survey by LocalCircles discovered that 56% of internet users are unsatisfied with data speeds and face connectivity problems. The survey revealed that a significant 70% of these users are considering switching their service providers.

In India, 86% users of fixed line internet connections primarily access the internet at home through fibre, broadband or DSL.

It further disclosed that 34% of users who utilise fibre, broadband, DSL, or fixed-line connections reported experiencing three or more issues with their connection every month.

“The surge in demand for high-speed internet services, combined with competitively priced fibre broadband plans offered by operators, featuring benefits such as unlimited internet and access to major Streaming Video on Demand (SVoD) platforms, is projected to drive the adoption of fibre broadband services in India between 2023 and 2028,” it states.

GlobalData in a recent survey said that India's revenue from fixed communication services will steadily increase, reaching $13.2 billion by 2028.

The survey further reveals that for those with a fibre/broadband/DSL/fixed-line connection for internet at home, 10% indicated experiencing issues "3-5 times" a month, while 48% indicated "once or twice" a month. However, 16% of respondents stated that they “do not face any issues” and 2% did not give a clear reply.

“Connectivity issues or slow speed are common issues with the internet, despite transition to 5G by many going by complaints on social media,” the survey states.

The survey, encompassing feedback from over 70,000 broadband and fibre consumers across 286 Indian districts, highlighted that 39% of respondents noted significant discrepancies between the promised and actual speeds, while 47% stated that their service provider took more than 24 hours to address their complaints.

According to the survey, "70% of fibre/broadband/DSL/fixed line users are open to switching to another provider for better quality, service, or pricing."

The study also predicted a 4% annual decline in revenue generated by telephone, landline, and fixed voice services in India from 2023 to 2028. This decline is attributed to the increasing preference for mobile and over-the-top (OTT) communication services among users, along with operators offering complementary voice minutes in bundled plans, resulting in a decrease in average revenue per user (ARPU) for fixed voice operators.

LocalCircles intends to share these findings with relevant government bodies like the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the Ministry of Telecom, and the Department of Consumer Affairs to address consumer concerns and improve service quality in the telecommunications sector.