India is set to achieve a remarkable milestone in its telecommunications sector with 5G subscriptions projected to reach 270 million by the end of 2024. According to Ericsson’s latest Mobility Report, this figure will account for 23% of the country’s total mobile subscriptions, reflecting a significant increase from the 110–120 million users recorded in 2023.
Despite the rapid adoption of 5G, 4G remains the most widely used mobile technology in the country. As of 2024, 4G will represent 54% of all mobile subscriptions. However, with the continued expansion of 5G networks, 4G subscriptions are expected to experience a sharp decline, dropping to just 240 million by 2030 and making up only 18% of total subscriptions.
India’s Role in the Global FWA Market
India is emerging as a vital player in the global fixed wireless access (FWA) landscape, with Ericsson estimating the country will account for 20% of worldwide FWA subscriptions by 2030. FWA technology delivers high-speed broadband to homes and businesses via radio signals, eliminating the need for physical cables. In India, FWA has been one of the primary use cases driving early 5G adoption.
Leading Telecoms Powering 5G Expansion
Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel are spearheading India’s 5G revolution. Jio has deployed advanced standalone architecture (SA), while Airtel is utilizing non-standalone architecture (NSA). Their combined efforts have facilitated extensive mid-band 5G coverage, which is expected to encompass 95% of India’s population by the end of 2024.
India Tops Global Data Consumption Rankings
Indian smartphone users lead the world in average monthly data consumption by using 32 GB per device, compared to the global average of 19 GB. Ericsson projects this figure will more than double to 66 GB by 2030 thus,representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13%.
Looking Ahead for 6G
With 5G adoption increasing, early deployments of 6G are anticipated by 2030. By that time, 5G networks are expected to handle 80% of global mobile data traffic, strengthening their critical role in shaping the future of telecommunications.
