Throughout 2023, 5G subscription growth has been robust in India. Fourteen months after its commercial introduction, 5G penetration in India is projected to surpass 11 per cent by the end of 2023, according to Ericsson Mobility Report for November 2023.
The 5G mid-band is an optimal medium for providing the complete 5G experience because of its high capacity and excellent coverage. Presently, over forty per cent of the world’s population is covered by 5G in the mid-band; this figure will rise from thirty per cent in 2022. The growth is propelled primarily by substantial mid-band implementations in India, with a few mid-band implementations also occurring in Europe.
Substantial 5G network deployments have occurred in India since the introduction of 5G services in October 2022. The number of 5G subscriptions is anticipated to increase from 130 million in 2023 to 860 million by 2029. By the end of 2029, it is anticipated that 68% of mobile subscriptions in the region will be 5G subscriptions.
The continued dominance of 4G subscriptions fuels regional data expansion and connectivity. On the other hand, it is anticipated that 4G subscriptions will decrease from 870 million in 2023 to 390 million by 2029 as users transition to 5G. The number of mobile subscriptions in the region is anticipated to reach 1.27 billion by 2029.
India has the highest average data traffic per smartphone among all countries worldwide. It is anticipated to increase at a CAGR of 16% from 31 GB per month in 2023 to approximately 75 GB per month in 2029. At a CAGR of 19 per cent, total mobile data traffic is projected to increase from 26 EB per month in 2023 to 73 EB per month in 2029.
The proportion of smartphone subscriptions to total mobile subscriptions in India is anticipated to increase from 82% in 2023 to 93% in 2029.
