International Baccalaureate: Extended Essay Economics
International Baccalaureate: Extended Essay Economics
International Baccalaureate: Extended Essay Economics
Extended Essay
Economics
Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 3
Background information ................................................................................................... 4
Methodology: -................................................................................................................. 5
Analysis of data ................................................................................................................ 6
complementary goods ...................................................................................................... 6
Price of 4G handset .......................................................................................................... 8
Tastes and preferences ................................................................................................... 13
Market structure ............................................................................................................ 15
Conclusion...................................................................................................................... 20
Limitations ..................................................................................................................... 20
Bibliography ................................................................................................................... 21
Bibliography ................................................................................................................... 22
Bibliography ................................................................................................................... 23
Appendix 1 ..................................................................................................................... 24
Appendix 2 ..................................................................................................................... 25
Appendix 3 ..................................................................................................................... 26
Analysis of the results..................................................................................................... 30
2
Introduction
Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited, or Jio, is a LTE mobile network operator in India, is an
provides wireless 4G LTE service network (without 2G/3G based services) and is the
only 'Volte only' (Voice over LTE) operator in the country which lacks legacy network
support of 2G and 3G, with coverage across all 22 telecom circles in India.1 The
research aims to investigate the factors that affected the 4G market for handset due
to the launch of jio sim in Muzaffarnagar. The main locality chosen for primary research
is the Aggarwal market, Muzaffarnagar. The reason why this locality has been selected
is that this place has the largest number of phone dealers in Muzaffarnagar.
2Therefore, by investigating in this region I can get accurate information of the effect
We are living in a developing world where everyone wants to use the latest available
technology. Therefore, getting that technology in free has affected the demand on 4G
handsets. The research will hence be focussing on how the demand of 4G handsets
is affected by the new network provider Jio. Beside the price factors there are non-
price factors that affect the demand for phones. The research is related to the
economic theory of demand and supply, where there are various strategies taken by
Reliance Jio which affect the demand for the 4G handsets. One important factor is
price which would affect the quantity demanded directly. It is only because of price Jio
1
https://www.quora.com/Is-Reliance-and-Reliance-Jio-two-different-companies
2
https://www.justdial.com/Muzaffarnagar/Mobile-Phone-Dealers-Sony/nct-11213620
3
good. To further investigate on my research question I will consider the demand and
supply for 4G handsets. This research will also consider the price elasticity of demand
for 4G handsets and Jio sim. The research would also consider the Oligopoly market
structure and now the pressure of mutual interdependence has also led to impacting
demand of 4G handsets.
Background information
Jio, which kicked off operations on September five, 2016, added 108.9 million
subscribers on the network as of March 31, 20173. “Jio is dedicated to offer its clients
the best price and the world’s most low-cost information and voice offerings,” Ambani
said4. In the course of the fourth quarter, the company continued to solve its
interconnection congestion troubles with the leading telecom operators. “There has
been noteworthy improvement in local access in current weeks. At the same time as
NLD interconnection stays a trouble in some service regions, Jio is dedicated to fixing
this on the earliest and hopes for co-operation from the other operators,” the telco said.
Jio, which has the world’s biggest greenfield 4G LTE Wi-Fi broadband network, with
over a hundred,000 mobile towers, will add any other a hundred,000 towers to the
community in the coming months. It's far the simplest operator which has deployed
Pan-India LTE network across the 800MHz, 1800MHz and 2300MHz bands, giving it
fantastic capability gain.The telco had earlier this year launched Jio prime membership
for its initial clients. Jio top members are getting limitless advantages, together with
3
https://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/reliance-jio-witnessing-largest-
migration-from-free-to-paid-services-in-history-mukesh-ambani/58344281
4
https://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/reliance-jio-witnessing-largest-
migration-from-free-to-paid-services-in-history-mukesh-ambani/58344281
4
Inside a month of saying the Jio prime offer, over 72 million Jio customers signed up
for JIO top5. Jio further announced its Jio Dhan Dhana Dhan plan starting at Rs 309.
Rs 309 plans gives unlimited SMS, calling and information (1GB in step with day at
4G speed) for 3 months on first recharge. The enterprise additionally announced the
Rs 509 plan with 2GB per day statistics. “With a purpose to smoothen the migration
from loose to paid services, Jio has applied simple, affordable and regulatory
compliant plans in purchaser interest,” the telco stated Jio lately released worldwide
roaming provider, that is available across the world. Jio also stated that it's miles
observing over 110 crore GB of statistics site visitors in keeping with month and 220
crore voice and video minutes a day, turning into the largest network globally in
phrases of records carried and contributed to India turning into the leading country
Methodology: -
customers and 25 were sellers. There were two surveys done one was for the sellers
in the Aggarwal market and one was for the customers. With the primary data collected
by the surveys, the effects of the various factors on the demand for 4G handset in
Aggarwal Market would be analysed. Secondary source would also be utilized to aid
the research, most significantly in finding out the change in the price of the 4G
5
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/reliance-jio-goes-pay-from-
saturday-gets-72-million-prime-subscribers/articleshow/57946766.cms
6
https://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/reliance-jio-witnessing-largest-
migration-from-free-to-paid-services-in-history-mukesh-ambani/58344281
5
The factors affecting the demand for 4G handsets would be determined by the use of
some economic theories which includes the demand and supply, finding out the
change in demand for the complementary goods. Moreover, the prices would be
considered which will compare the phone models and also find out the profits earned
by the sellers after jio sim was launched. Oligopoly market structure would also be
taken in consideration which will include the way these companies compete and the
research will also include the details about the tastes and preferences of the people.
Analysis of data
Based on the secondary and Primary research the factors that affected the demand
1. Complementary Goods
2. Price of 4G handset
4. Market Structure
complementary goods
conjunction with another good or service. Usually, the complementary good has
little to no value when consumed alone, but when combined with another good or
7
http://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/complement.asp
6
A 4G handset is a device in which a 4G sim is inserted to access fast internet.
However, it will not work without a 4G sim. Therefore, the 4G sim must be compatible
with the handset hence, the 4G services can only be consumed with a 4G handsets
which created the complementary impact of consuming the higher speed data services
and 4G must have compatible handsets of fourth generation devices. The factors of
the complementary impact play crucial role of the exponential growth in the need of
4G handset to enjoy the higher speed data of the new generation fast data.
The factors available after the launch of jio services creates environment of
exponential growth not only for high speed 4G data but also for compatible 4G
8
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/internet/consolidations-done-telecom-looks-to-
dial-up-growth-in-2018/articleshow/62314319.cms
7
The graph above illustrates the concept of complementary goods. It shows how the
sim. Thus, demand curve shifted to the right from D to D1 and price increased from P
to P1. This is also supported by the primary data collected (appendix 1 question 2) in
seller survey.9
20%
80% YES
NO
10
sim.11
Price of 4G handset
Price is another factor that influences demand. Demand is an economic term that
9
https://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/reliance-jio-driving-demand-for-4g-
volte-phones-sim-porting-among-users-counterpoint-research/58143228
11
Appendix 1, Question 2
8
at any given price level12. in fact, according to law of demand, it states that quantity
purchased varies inversely with price. In other words, the higher the price, the
The demand curve is downward sloping due to the law of diminishing marginal utility.
products constant, there is a decline in the marginal utility that person derives
12
https://www.myaccountingcourse.com/accounting-dictionary/demand
13
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/l/lawofdemand.asp
14
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/l/lawofdiminishingutility.asp
9
A, B and C are points on the demand curve. At point A, the quantity demanded is Q1
and the price is P1. The demand curve shows the negative relationship between price
and quantity demanded. The higher the price of a good the lower the quantity
demanded (indicated through B), and the lower the price, the higher the quantity
Demand for mobile phones and internet services is relatively inelastic. Inelastic is an
economic term used to describe the situation in which the quantity demanded or
supplied of a good or service is unaffected when the price of that good or service
changes16. Phones and internet have become a need for everyone. 17 Thus, as seen
above in the figure, demand curve is relatively steep. It is because demand for 4G
handset tends to be inelastic (PED<1) that Jio had to launch the 4G sim free. Within
inelastic demand only a very big change in price can bring about a required change in
demand.
With the launch of Jio sim, Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited also launched a 4G handset
at a very low price.18 Also, to compete with Jio other companies also launched low
price 4G handsets such as swipe elite 2, Samsung Z2, Reliance Lyf Wind 6,
Panasonic P55, Karbonn Aura, Intex Cloud String V 2.0, Intex Aqua Secure, etc. 19
Due to the prices of 4G handsets falling after the launch of Jio the quatity demand of
15
https://www.investopedia.com/university/economics/economics3.asp
16
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/inelastic.asp
17
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2461923/Internet-and-mobile-phones-become-
all-pervasive-in-modern-society.html
18
http://www.financialexpress.com/industry/technology/reliance-jio-to-launch-indias-
cheapest-4g-volte-smartphone-at-rs-1000-report/446966/
19
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/slideshows/tech-life/8-cheap-android-smartphones-
with-volte-support/intex-aqua-secure/slideshow/53978855.cms
10
This led to an extension in demand as price fell from P to P1 and quantity demand
increased from Q to Q1. There was a movement along the curve from A to B.
Third-generation (3G) smartphones are headed for a quick exit in India, with prices of the more
advanced 4G devices plunging and plans by large manufacturers to completely withdraw from
the segment in six months20. 4G handsets came more in use after Jio came. This occurred
because Jio offered services at no cost. Many cellular telephone companies released a variety
20
https://tech.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/mobile/4g-popularity-to-ensure-early-
demise-of-3g-smartphones/54438366
11
According to the survey the retailers stated that now each and every person now demands a 4G
handset and now the retailors are also able to satisfy their demand because now 4G handsets
The sellers in Aggarwal market also said that the demand for 3G smartphones has been
declining over the past two or three months, in the run-up to the launch of services by Reliance
Jio Infocomm.21
Table above shows the prices of 3G handsets, and prices of 4G handsets before the launch of
Jio and after the launch of Jio. As shown above there is a slight difference in the prices of 3G
handsets and 4G handsets after Jio. Due to the short difference between the prices of 3G and
4G handsets people have shifted their demand to 4G handsets and which led to an increase in
21
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/hardware/3g-smartphone-demand-declining-
handset-makers-like-samsung-micromax-and-others-to-launch-only-4g-
phones/articleshow/54437411.cms
22
https://pricebaba.com/mobile/pricelist/4g-phones-in-india
12
Tastes and preferences
The contemporary world is changing hastily. The internet is leading in the 21st century.
People born in this century are known as the digital natives. The internet has all the time
modified the manner human beings do their business. The demand of mobile and internet is
increasing day by day, they are becoming the preferred means of personal and professional
communication, giving a new dimension to the telecom industry. To meet up the user’s demand
more and more advancement is being done in the field of communication.23 The demand of
mobile user is ever increasing in this world of digital systems. Consumers demand more from
the latest technology purchase must have new features. With the advent of the Internet, the
Similarly, it happened in the 4G industry high demand from technology led to people
This clearly is going without saying that 4G phones provides fast internet speeds. Improved
bandwidth makes faster data transfer a possibility, giving many benefits in cell phones. As
compared to other systems consisting of Wi-Fi, 4G networks have a mile’s larger span. Using
a Wi-Fi restricts the user to a constrained area, making them dependent on hotspots. 4G is a
community that offers an insurance of around 30 miles in conjunction with overlapping ranges,
presenting with uninterrupted connectivity all of the time. Consequently, the use of a
smartphone that is 4G enabled offers an advantage over other customers. Moreover, he security
23
http://ijmcr.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Paper11100-11031.pdf
24
http://pubs.sciepub.com/ajeee/2/3/6/
25
https://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/4g-is-essential-for-survival-in-indian-
telecom-industry-aircel-cmo/62474824
13
of a community is a critical difficulty and it's far compromised whilst the use of a Wi-Fi. Using
a 4G cell permit’s you use 4G networks that offer downright privacy, protection and safety.
Beneficial for people at the pass and company organizations, they shield the sensitive records
gift inside the user’s telephones.26 Due to all these benefits of using 4G, consumers have
changed their tastes and preferences by shifting to 4G and by buying 4G handsets. These factors
have changed the tastes and preference of the people and it has also affected the demand for
4G handsets.
As mentioned above due to the new technology and improved 4G facilities people have shifted
their demand to 4G handsets. Illustrated in the graph above the demand curve shifts to the right
from D to D1 causing an increase in the quantity demanded of 4G handsets. The price remains
26
http://www.infocusindia.co.in/blog/smartphones/superfast-4g-phones-young-generation/
14
Market structure
Market structure refers to the nature and degree of competition in the market for
goods and services. The structures of market both for goods market and service
form with limited competition in which a few producers control the majority
Due to the small number of firms and lack of competition, this market
1 Vodafone 18.2029
2 Airtel 28.41%
3 Jio 13.71%
4 Idea
18.79%30
The sum of four largest companies market share is 79.11% which is more than 40%.
27
http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/economics/market/market-structure-meaning-
characteristics-and-forms-economics/28736
28
https://www.myaccountingcourse.com/accounting-dictionary/oligopoly
29
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_telecom_companies_in_India
30
https://www.news18.com/news/india/733-million-gsm-subscribers-in-india-airtel-leads-
with-28-41-market-share-696040.html
15
the percentage of output produced by the largest firms in an industry.31 If the
market share of four four large companies is more than 40% then the market is said
to an oligopoly.
within an oligopoly industry because each of the oligopolists has a sizable part
of the market32 ) due to this firms have an incentive to collude or compete. In the case
of 4G sim market firms chose to compete. Thus, when Jio sim was launched at low
Price competition:
Price competition is one of many ways that a product or service can compete in the
marketplace. In price competition, two products which are substantially similar are judged by
prospective consumers on their respective pricing, with the purchase made mostly on the basis
of which is cheaper.33
Price competition was a strategy used used by different service providing companies to
compete amongst each other. There were price wars amongst them to compete with each other.
Similarly, companies such as Airtel, Vodafone and Idea wanted to compete with Jio so brought
their prices near to what reliance jio was offering. The data is shown below.
31
Tragakes, Ellie. “7.4 The theory of firms 2 " Economics for the IB Diploma. 2nd ed. Cambridge UP,
2012. 203 Print.).
32
http://economics.csusb.edu/facultystaff/nilsson/personal/capitalism%20text/19-
oligopoly.pdf
33
http://smallbusiness.chron.com/define-price-competition-economics-3886.html
16
PLANS
Reliance Jio
* Rs 309: Unlimited voice calls/SMSs, 1GB (4G) data per day for 56 days
* Rs 349: Unlimited voice calls/SMSs, 20GB (4G) data (10+10) for 56 days
* Rs 399: Unlimited voice calls/SMSs, 1GB (4G) data per day for 84 days
* Rs 509: Unlimited voice calls/SMSs, 2GB (4G) data per day for 56 days
Reliance Jio has earlier offered Rs 309 plan for its existing users, in which they had
to buy Prime subscription for Rs 99. The plan offered 1 GB data per day, unlimited
Airtel:
* Rs 244: Unlimited calls to Airtel to Airtel, 1GB data per day for 70 days, no free
SMS
* Rs 399: Unlimited calls (300 minutes a day/1200 minutes a week), 1GB (3G/4G)
* Rs 349: Unlimited calls (300 minutes a day/1200 minutes a week), 1GB (3G/4G)
34
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/retail/reliance-jio-vs-airtel-vs-
vodafone-vs-other-telcos-which-data-plan-you-should-go-for/articleshow/59562800.cms
35
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/retail/reliance-jio-vs-airtel-vs-
vodafone-vs-other-telcos-which-data-plan-you-should-go-for/articleshow/59562800.cms
17
Vodafone
* Rs 257: Unlimited calls (300 minutes a day/1200 minutes a week), 2GB total,
* Rs 352: Unlimited calls (300 minutes a day/1200 minutes a week), 1GB (3G/4G)
* Rs 445: Unlimited calls (300 minutes a day/1200 minutes a week), 1GB (3G/4G)
data per day for 84 days, no free SMS. Vodafone has termed it Survival Kit and is
Idea
* Rs 347: Unlimited calls (300 minutes a day/1200 minutes a week), 1GB (2G/3G)
* Rs 498: 4GB (3G) for 28 days, post that 1GB (3G) for 28 days at Rs 121 for 6
months
* Rs 453: 1GB (3G) data for 84 days (On first time recharge only), unlimited
* Rs 395: 1GB (4G) data, unlimited local/STD calls, for 84 days. This plan is
36
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/retail/reliance-jio-vs-airtel-vs-
vodafone-vs-other-telcos-which-data-plan-you-should-go-for/articleshow/59562800.cms
37
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/retail/reliance-jio-vs-airtel-vs-
vodafone-vs-other-telcos-which-data-plan-you-should-go-for/articleshow/59562800.cms
18
Thus, due to fall in prices in 4G sim plans by all companies the demand for 4G
Lower prices of 4G sim offered by Jio and other network providing companies have
There is a rightward shift in the demand curve from D to D1 and increase in the
38
https://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/reliance-jio-driving-demand-for-4g-
volte-phones-sim-porting-among-users-counterpoint-research/58143228
19
Conclusion
In conclusion the research has managed to find out the various factors that affected
each factor was measured in each segment of the market using economic concepts
such as demand and supply has been use to analyse the impact of jio sim on the
demand of 4G handsets. It was found out that less price offered by jio had a greater
research also found out the various ways how firms have competed had created an
oligopoly market structure. It also found out the various price and non-price
competition factors that affected the demand for 4G handsets in muzaffarnagar. This
research as therefore successfully answered the research question in finding out the
different factors that affected the demand for 4G handsets in Aggarwal market,
Muzaffarnagar.
Limitations
However, there were some limitations faced while accomplishing the research such
as the only method of primary research was questionnaires and the sample size was
small therefore outcomes acquired perhaps slightly skewed, and the reliability may not
20
Bibliography
https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-cheapest-VoLTE-phone-to-use-Jio
http://www.livemint.com/Technology/qeCp5oexAcwBJyEnM49FkN/Affordable-4G-
smartphones-that-attempt-to-offer-better-value.html.
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171005005592/en/Global-4G-Devices-
Market-2017-2021---Research.
http://www.infocusindia.co.in/blog/smartphones/superfast-4g-phones-young-
generation/.
Reliance Jio Sim 4g Sim Home Delivery Now Available in Over 600 Towns
Tasneem Akolawala - https://gadgets.ndtv.com/telecom/news/reliance-jio-4g-sim-free-home-
delivery-jiofi-hotspot-90-minutes-1715590.
http://economics.csusb.edu/facultystaff/nilsson/personal/capitalism%20text/19-
oligopoly.pdf
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airtel-vs-vodafone-vs-other-telcos-which-data-plan-you-should-go-
for/articleshow/59562800.cms
http://ijmcr.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Paper11100-11031.pdf
21
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smartphones-with-volte-support/intex-aqua-secure/slideshow/53978855.cms
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telecom-looks-to-dial-up-growth-in-2018/articleshow/62314319.cms
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ensure-early-demise-of-3g-smartphones/54438366
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survival-in-indian-telecom-industry-aircel-cmo/62474824
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demand-for-4g-volte-phones-sim-porting-among-users-counterpoint-
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22
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https://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/reliance-jio-driving-
demand-for-4g-volte-phones-sim-porting-among-users-counterpoint-
research/58143228
https://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/reliance-jio-witnessing-
largest-migration-from-free-to-paid-services-in-history-mukesh-
ambani/58344281
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largest-migration-from-free-to-paid-services-in-history-mukesh-
ambani/58344281
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11213620
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phones-become-all-pervasive-in-modern-society.html
23
Appendix 1
24
Appendix 2
25
Appendix 3
RESULTS OF THE CUSTOMER SURVEY
IF YES
25%
Free data
75% low cost
PUCHASED A 4G HANDSET
9%
Yes
No
91%
26
JIO PROVIDER BETTER SERVICES THAN OTHE
COMPANIES.
15%
Yes
85% No
IF NO
31%
NETWORK ISSUES
69% SLOW INTERNET
23%
Yes
77% No
27
DID YOU STILL BUY A 4G HANDSET
26%
YES
74% NO
27%
28
DID THE DEMAND FOR 4G HANDSETS
INCREASE AFTER JIO
20%
80% YES
NO
3%
YES
NO
97%
9%
29
Analysis of the results
Since the research mainly focusses on the factors that affected the demand for 4G
handsets, the survey would aim to find out the change in sales for 4G handsets after
the jio sim was launched. The results clearly shows that people shifted their demand
to jio because of free data and better services provided and it also shows that people
who have or who have not shifted to jio still purchased a 4G handset. Many people did
not switch to jio because of the slow internet less services provided by jio. However,
according to the survey 90% people have started using jio since it was launched.
According to the sellers in Aggarwal market there was a very less sales of 4G handset
before jio was launched. They also told that there were less sales, less profits and less
demand for 4G handsets. However, as jio was launched their sales, demand for 4G
handsets and profits started to rise which led to a growth in the mobile industry.
30