However, costs are expected to come down as LTE networks proliferate worldwide and more devices become available. Also Initiatives like the introduction of the low cost Aakash tablet in India are helping spur widespread access to the internet in emerging markets, said Anne Bouverot, director general of the GSMA.
Bouverot added that the GSMA has opened a permanent office in New Delhi and appointed Sandeep Karanwal as head of GSMA’s India office, and Nitin Sapra, the GSMA’s manager for spectrum and regulation policy in India.
Given the significant social and economic benefits, the GSMA said, expanding affordable access to mobile broadband should be a high priority of the Indian government.
The announcement came as GSM players and CDMA operators in India are battling for more spectrum resources in the country’s upcoming 2G auctions.