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With a population of 1.4 billion, India is predominantly a mobile-first market. The deployment of 5G base stations all over the country is heavily supported by the fiber-optic network, making backhaul connection faster with less interferences. Making the best of this region-wide fiber rollout, both government and private sectors are pushing fiber-to-the-home, setting India on a trajectory to become the world’s second-largest fiber broadband market by 2030. How can operators capitalize on this shift, to deploy fiber-to-the-home solutions, and get their market share from connected homes?
What is trending, and how are consumer behaviors evolving in India?
Subscription Video on Demand is a big topic. Video streaming is expected to grow by 18.1% every year on a global scale until 2030. Streaming giants like Disney+, Hotstar, and Netflix, are already household names in India, where 88% of active internet users access OTT platforms. However, two-thirds of users have streaming issues such as frequent rebuffering and long loading times, leading to strong frustration. Fiber is a game changer here, as it is specifically designed for data-intensive streaming such as home entertainment in 4K quality and multiple devices.
Talking about game-changing, the global Online Gaming industry is expected to grow by 10.2% each year until 2030, with heavyweights such as Minecraft, Fortnite, League of Legends, and many more – not just on PC, but also via connected gaming platforms such as PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, and Nintendo Network. The Indian gaming community grew from around 300 million players in 2019 to an estimated 442 million post-COVID. Despite new taxes, the industry is projected to surge by over 12% in India by 2027. Gamers demand seamless, lag-free experiences, and fiber is the perfect solution for video game consoles and other connected objects.
From Alexa to IP cameras and smart shutters, the average home is a network hub with twenty Connected Devices on average. India’s smart device usage jumped by 62% in just a year. By 2025, we’re looking at nearly 500 million IoT devices in India. A gateway optimized for multi-device; multi-usage connection is a must to lead the market of connected homes.
Most of these smart devices will be bought online. The pandemic has accelerated Digital Payments & e-commerce at an unprecedented rate. Like anywhere, COVID-19 has had a significant impact on online payments in India – and the trend is just going on. Last year alone saw a 13% increase in digital payment users in India, as much for shopping as for food delivery, taxi ordering, or online subscriptions.
With all these usages, Indian households are becoming increasingly data hungry. But challenges remain. One global trend that is not taking on is remote work, for which India ranks 64th out of 108 countries. This is no surprise, as 56% of users face internet issues, and a significant portion is still without access. This gap presents a massive opportunity for operators.
Addressing the trends and futureproofing fiber-to-the-home
Let’s shift gears and dive into how you can address these trends, and future-proof your fiber gateway fleet. This is where tech meets the road.
Picking a future-proof Wi-Fi standard
In the world of Wi-Fi, options abound, from Wi-Fi 4 to the upcoming Wi-Fi 7. But let’s focus on Wi-Fi 6, introduced in 2019. It’s not just about being affordable; it’s about bringing tangible benefits to the table. We’re talking at a faster speed compared to Wi-Fi 5, better reach, improved throughput, reduced interference in device-dense areas, and crucially, the ability to connect multiple devices simultaneously. This is particularly vital as homes evolve into hubs of diverse digital activities.
Ensure home coverage
Effective home coverage is the one way to ensure that customers enjoy a quality connection throughout their home, without the need for additional extenders. Poorly engineered entry-level products often suffer from weak signal and connection issues, giving extra work to your customer service and technical teams. Make sure you have a competitive advantage here.
Protect your CPEs from hacking and malware
In today’s digital ecosystem, fiber gateways are not just connectivity devices; they’re the guardians of our home networks. Ensuring they are fortified against hacking and malware is not optional; it’s essential. Look for vendors who take security as seriously as you do, and who can demonstrate their commitment with certifications like ISO 27001.
OLT/CPE interoperability
When choosing a GPON gateway, seek near-full compatibility with existing OLT models. This will ensure faster, seamless deployment and help you avoid vendor lock-in. This is not just about the present; it is about future-proofing your hardware, ensuring longevity and adaptability in a rapidly evolving market.
Offer different packages with additional services
Generally, operators aim to offer clients more than just bandwidth and Wi-Fi capacity. You may want to include services like Home Automation, Security, Parental Control, Voice Command Services, and Video distribution. When selecting a gateway, make sure its software facilitates the development of new apps, integration of third-party apps, or selection from pre-existing apps, all within a secure, evolving digital environment.
Choose a provider that can ensure support throughout the whole development & deployment process
Choosing a fiber gateway provider that offers full support throughout development and deployment is essential for several reasons. It ensures access to technical expertise for seamless integration, allows for customization and scalability to meet unique needs, and provides crucial troubleshooting and problem resolution. This approach also facilitates staff training, ensures ongoing maintenance and updates, and enhances cost efficiency and risk mitigation. Ultimately, it fosters a long-term, reliable partnership, crucial for maintaining a stable and secure network infrastructure.
Connect with Vantiva
Whether you want to offer your customers a premium broadband experience, upgrade your gateways, or simply talk connectivity, we are happy to help. Contact us!
