India's 5G users to top 1.1B by 2031
What's the story
India's 5G subscriber base is projected to cross the 1.1 billion mark by the end of 2031, a new report from Ericsson has said. The prediction indicates an impressive subscription penetration rate of about 81%. The rapid growth is attributed to affordable smartphones supporting the next-gen network, wider coverage across almost all districts, and the continued expansion of Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) services.
Subscription shift
Shift in mobile technology usage
The report also predicts a major shift in mobile technology usage. By the end of 2025, India is expected to have around 430 million 5G subscriptions, accounting for some 35% of total mobile subscriptions. While currently, 4G holds the largest share at about 46%, it is expected to see a sharp decline over the next six years as users switch over to faster and more reliable networks like fifth-generation (5G).
Data consumption
Surge in mobile data consumption
India is also set to remain the world's largest consumer of mobile data per smartphone. The average monthly mobile data usage per device is currently at 37GB, but it is expected to nearly double by 2031, reaching a whopping 70GB. This massive increase in consumption highlights the growing dependence on mobile connectivity and digital services among Indians.
Digital transformation
Ericsson's take on India's digital transformation
Commenting on the report's findings, Nitin Bansal, Managing Director at Ericsson India, said that India's rapidly growing 5G ecosystem is transforming the country's digital landscape. He emphasized how this rapid adoption of enhanced mobile broadband and FWA services are reshaping consumer experiences in India. Bansal also stressed that a robust and secure infrastructure for fifth-generation (5G) technology is enabling inclusion, governance, innovation at scale while strengthening the Digital India program.
Global trend
Global trends in mobile connectivity
On a global scale, fifth-generation (5G) subscriptions surpassed the three-billion mark in Q1 of 2026, reaching some 3.1 billion users. Ericsson expects this number to more than double to an estimated 6.4 billion by the end of 2031. Erik Ekudden, Chief Technology Officer at Ericsson and publisher of the report, said future connectivity demands will be shaped by artificial intelligence's rise in mobile networks.