NEW DELHI: Data would be the key driving force of average revenue per user (ARPU) for the Indian telecom industry.

Sam Pitroda, the chairman of the National Knowledge Commission, stressed this point while felicitating the winners of second Mobile Developer Awards organized by Reliance Developer Program (RDP).

He said, “With the ongoing telecom revolution in India and the addition of around four- five million additional phones per month, voice may be free in future and the major revenue stream for telecom operators would be database applications rather than voice.”

He further added, “All kinds of applications like payment services, government services, etc. can be put on phone for access by people in the middle of nowhere. This presents a great opportunity for developers.”

While felicitating the winners, Pitroda said, “Such contests are important in helping develop applications for the masses. India has a lot of raw talent, but having it alone isn't enough. Unless encouraged and honed they would to waste. A business model should be there for innovation to succeed.”