India’s 5G User Base Set for Massive Growth, 1.1 Billion Subscriptions Expected by 2031: Ericsson

India is expected to witness a sharp rise in 5G adoption over the next five years, with subscriptions projected to cross 1.1 billion by 2031, driven by affordable smartphones, wider coverage, and increasing digital consumption.

June 17, 2026 | New Delhi: India’s 5G revolution is expected to accelerate significantly, with the country projected to surpass 1.1 billion 5G subscriptions by the end of 2031, according to the latest Ericsson Mobility Report. The report estimates that 5G will account for nearly 81 percent of all mobile subscriptions in India, marking one of the fastest telecom transitions globally.

The report highlights that India’s rapid 5G growth is being fuelled by affordable 5G-enabled smartphones, extensive network expansion across districts, and increasing adoption of Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) services. Telecom providers have aggressively expanded infrastructure, making high-speed internet increasingly accessible in urban and semi-urban regions.

By the end of 2025, India had already reached around 430 million 5G subscriptions, accounting for nearly 35 percent of total mobile connections. While 4G continues to dominate with a 46 percent share, Ericsson forecasts a major shift, with 4G subscriptions expected to decline from nearly 570 million in 2025 to around 160 million by 2031 as users migrate toward faster networks.

The report also points to India’s growing appetite for mobile internet usage. Average monthly mobile data consumption per smartphone, currently around 37 GB, is expected to nearly double to 70 GB by 2031, placing India among the world’s leading digital consumption markets. Experts believe the surge will support sectors such as streaming, artificial intelligence, online education, gaming, and digital commerce.

Globally, Ericsson estimates total 5G subscriptions will rise from 3.1 billion in early 2026 to nearly 6.4 billion by 2031, underlining the growing role of next-generation connectivity in shaping digital economies worldwide. For India, the transition is expected to strengthen the country’s digital infrastructure and further accelerate the vision of a connected economy.

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