India to have 1B 5G subscriptions by 2031: Report
What's the story
India is set to witness a massive surge in 5G subscriptions, with the number expected to exceed one billion by the end of 2031. This would translate into a subscription penetration rate of about 79%. The prediction comes from Ericsson's latest Mobility Report, which includes forecasts up to 2031. The report also forecasts that by the end of 2025, India will have around 394 million active 5G subscriptions.
Data consumption
Mobile data traffic per smartphone to double by 2031
Ericsson's report also highlights the rapid growth of mobile data consumption in India. The average mobile data traffic per active smartphone in the country is currently at a whopping 36GB per month, which is the highest globally. This figure is expected to double to 65GB/month by 2031, further emphasizing India's growing reliance on mobile broadband and digital services.
Subscription dominance
Enhanced mobile broadband to dominate 5G subscriptions
The report also predicts that enhanced mobile broadband will be a significant component of the 5G subscription market, which is expected to reach over 6.4 billion globally by the end of 2031. Out of these global 5G subscriptions, approximately 65% or some 4.1 billion are expected to be standalone (SA) subscriptions, highlighting the growing trend toward differentiated connectivity services beyond just data volume packages.
Future outlook
6G subscriptions expected to reach 180 million by 2031
Ericsson's report also looks ahead to the future of mobile connectivity, predicting that global 6G subscriptions will reach 180 million by the end of 2031. This estimate does not take into account early adoption rates of AI-enabled Internet of Things (IoT) devices. The first commercial launches are likely to be led by major service providers in front-runner markets such as India, China, Japan, South Korea, and select Gulf Cooperation Council countries.