According to the latest Ericsson Mobility Report, the adoption rate of 5G in India is projected to accelerate dramatically in the coming years. The report forecasts that 5G subscriptions in the country will exceed the 1 billion (100 crore) mark by the end of 2031. Furthermore, the report predicts that 5G will dominate the Indian mobile market by that time, accounting for approximately 79% of all mobile connections. Currently, 5G adoption is already strong, with around 394 million 5G connections registered by the end of 2025, constituting a 32% share of total subscriptions at that time.
The surge in mobile data usage is identified as a key driver for the expansion of 5G. India boasts one of the highest mobile data consumption rates globally, fueled by the proliferation of smartphones, affordable data plans, and high OTT (Over-The-Top) consumption. The report notes that Indian users are consuming increasing amounts of data daily, and in response to this high demand, telecom companies are rapidly accelerating their network expansion, which is the primary reason for the extensive 5G rollout.
The report also highlights the crucial role of 5G smartphone sales in driving this change. 5G-enabled smartphones have now become accessible in the budget segment, with models available in the ₹10,000–₹15,000 price range. This widespread availability of affordable 5G devices is encouraging more users to migrate to the next-generation network, playing a vital role in the projected increase in 5G subscriptions.
Would you like to know if there are any specific new 5G devices or service plans being launched in India soon?
