India to double 5G subscription by 2030

A recent Ericsson Mobility Report published on November 26 indicates that 5G subscriptions in India, Bhutan, and Nepal will surpass 270 million by the end of 2024, accounting for 23 percent of all mobile subscriptions within the region.

By 2030, 5G subscriptions in these countries are expected to soar to approximately 970 million, representing 74% of the mobile subscription market. While the initial drivers for 5G have been enhanced mobile broadband services and fixed wireless access (FWA), 4G remains the prevailing type of mobile subscription, making up 54 percent of total subscriptions at present.

As 5G adoption accelerates, 4G subscriptions are predicted to decline dramatically. From 640 million in 2024, 4G subscriptions are expected to fall to just 240 million by 2030, accounting for about 18% of overall mobile subscriptions in India, Bhutan, and Nepal.

Following substantial mid-band 5G deployments in India, coverage is expected to reach around 95% of the country's population by the end of 2024.

India, Nepal, and Bhutan currently lead globally in smartphone mobile data consumption, averaging 32GB per month per active smartphone, significantly higher than the global average of 19GB per month. By 2030, this figure is projected to reach 66GB per active smartphone, maintaining the region's position as the top consumer of mobile data compared to the anticipated global average of 40GB per month.

Meanwhile, global mobile network data traffic is projected to nearly double between 2024 and 2030, driven by the increasing adoption of 5G technology. By the end of 2030, Ericsson forecasts 6.3 billion global 5G subscriptions, with approximately 60% expected to be 5G Standalone (SA), signifying a major shift towards more advanced 5G capabilities.

Source: Ericsson, November 2024

Source: Ericsson, November 2024