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Three key mass market applications including subscriber identity module (SIM), driving license and vehicle registration certificate and national ID cards are expected to power the expansion of the Indian smart card market both in terms of revenue and unit shipments.
SIM in the cellular industry is expected to be the most prominent of these applications, continuing as the single most dominant segment for smart cards in India. The country commonly uses a global system for mobile (GSM) based mobile network, which requires the SIM. The rapid expansion of this segment, in turn, has been offering significant growth potential for Indian smart card manufacturers.
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (smartcards.frost.com), Strategic Analysis of Indian Smart Card Markets, reveals that revenue in this industry totaled $47.5 million in 2004 projects to reach $248.0 million in 2009. Unit shipments are to register an impressive annual average growth rate of 48.4 percent, expanding from 43.1 million units in 2004 to 310.0 million units.
If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which provides manufacturers, end users, and other industry participants with an overview of the latest analysis of the Strategic Analysis of Indian Smart Card Markets, then send an e-mail to Tori Foster - Corporate Communications at tori.foster[.]frost.com with the following information: your full name, company name, title, telephone number, e-mail address, city, state and country. We will send you the information via email upon receipt of the above information.
“Growth is likely to be fuelled by an increasing cellular requirement in small cities and rural areas,” explains Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Vihar Bhagwat. “In particular, when private cellular operators foray into rural markets, the growth is expected to drive large SIM requirements.”
In 2004, the market share for SIM shipments across total smart card shipments in India was estimated at 89.5 percent. This dominance is expected to wane to some extent over the next five years following the strong performance of applications such as retail loyalty and identification.
Among other markets gaining prominence are driving licenses and vehicle registration certificates. Already, states such as Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat have indicated a keen interest for chip-based infrastructure for these applications. The growth prospects for smart cards deployment are expected to soar following the likely adoption of these schemes by other states. Such initiatives are being supported by efforts to develop a clear, uniform and interoperable system for such applications.
The year 2006 is likely to be a pivotal time for the Indian smart cards industry with the likely launch of pilot schemes for the national ID card project in 2005. Large-scale rollout is anticipated from 2007 with the project expected to result in the issue of over 600 million national ID cards. However, financial and operational considerations attached to this mammoth project are likely to hamper rapid growth.
“In India, the infrastructure needed for successful smart card implementations is minimal and while this has prohibited growth, the absence of a legacy infrastructure and upgrade issues also acts as a potential driving force,” says Vihar Bhagwat.
Retail loyalty, closed user group corporate segments, and increasing mobile-to-mobile payments are all expected to support market growth. At the same time, a large population base accompanied by an increase in consumption expenditure is likely to be a major factor sustaining the continued expansion of the Indian smart cards market.
However, obstacles still remain. Among the key challenges that the Indian smart cards market have to contend with include the growth of non-subscriber identity module (SIM) – code division multiplex access (CDMA) mobile subscribers, with competition from cheaper alternative technologies and current operational systems also expected to have slow growth rates. Moreover payment applications are unlikely to develop as a major user segment in the near future.
Strategic Analysis of Indian Smart Card Markets is part of the 9206 smart card subscription. It evaluates the smart card market in India across major applications such as SIM, retail and loyalty, government and ID, and driving licenses and vehicle registration certificates. Key market drivers, restraints and opportunities enable market participants to strategize business plans against the changing market structure. Executive summaries and analyst interviews are available to the press.
Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, has been partnering with clients to support the development of innovative strategies for more than 40 years. The company's industry expertise integrates growth consulting, growth partnership services, and corporate management training to identify and develop opportunities. Frost & Sullivan serves an extensive clientele that includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies, and the investment community by providing comprehensive industry coverage that reflects a unique global perspective and combines ongoing analysis of markets, technologies, econometrics, and demographics.
Strategic Analysis of Indian Smart Card Markets
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Kristina Menzefricke
Corporate Communications – Europe
P: +44 (0) 20 7343 8376
F: +44 (0) 20 7730 3343
E: kristina.menzefricke[.]frost.com
Donna Jeremiah
Corporate Communications – Asia Pacific
P: +603 6304 5832
F: +603 6201 7402
E: djeremiah[.]frost.com
Keywords in this release: subscriber identity module, SIM, Indian, smart card market, driving license, vehicle registration certificate, national ID cards, India, cellular industry, GSM, mobile network, telecom, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, chip based infrastructure, SIM shipments, payment applications, identification applications, national ID card project, government, retail loyalty, national ID cards, mobile-to-mobile payments, CDMA, research, information, market, trends, technology, service, forecast, market share
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