India’s 5G market is set for significant growth in the coming years, with both consumers and telecom operators benefiting from the expansion of this next-generation mobile network.
Telecom Investment and Future Growth
Major equipment manufacturers like Sweden-based Ericsson are banking on the increased data consumption in India. This is expected to drive a new cycle of capital investment by major telecom operators like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel. These companies have already made massive investments to deploy 5G nationwide, and the focus is now shifting to meeting the growing demand for faster and more reliable mobile networks.
Predicted 5G Subscriber Growth
By the end of 2024, India is expected to have 270 million 5G subscribers, which will make up about 23% of the total mobile subscriptions in the country. This number is predicted to skyrocket to 970 million 5G users by 2030, which will represent a huge 74% of the total mobile subscriptions in India.
4G on the Decline
As 5G grows, 4G subscriptions are expected to decrease significantly. By 2030, there will be an estimated 240 million 4G subscribers, down from 640 million in 2024. This will make up only 18% of total mobile subscriptions in India.
Data Consumption Surge
India is already leading the world in mobile data usage. In 2024, the average monthly data usage per smartphone in India is expected to be 32 GB, which is higher than the global average of 19 GB. This number is expected to rise to 66 GB by 2030, much higher than the global average of 40 GB.
Willingness to Pay for Better Connectivity
As India embraces 5G, 1 in 6 5G users are willing to pay 20% more of their current monthly mobile spend for guaranteed connectivity at event venues, showing that people are willing to pay a premium for reliable, high-speed internet.
Impact of GenAI
The rise in demand for GenAI (Generative AI) apps and devices is also expected to contribute to a shift in mobile traffic. This will increase uplink demand, making the need for faster and more reliable mobile networks even more critical in the future.
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