India is projected to exceed 1 billion 5G subscriptions by the end of 2031, reaching 79% penetration, according to Ericsson’s latest Mobility Report. The surge will be driven by rapid network expansion, affordable devices, and rising demand for high-speed mobile data across urban and rural regions.
India is poised to become one of the world’s largest 5G markets, with over 1 billion subscriptions expected by 2031, according to the November 2025 edition of the Ericsson Mobility Report. The country’s 5G adoption is accelerating rapidly, supported by expanding network coverage, affordable fixed wireless access (FWA) devices, and growing digital consumption.
As of the end of 2025, India is estimated to have 394 million 5G subscribers, accounting for 32% of total mobile users. This figure is expected to grow steadily over the next six years, with 5G penetration reaching 79% by 2031. The report also highlights India’s position as the global leader in mobile data consumption per user.
Key highlights from the report include
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India’s 5G subscriptions are forecast to exceed 1 billion by 2031, with 79% user penetration.
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Current 5G user base stands at 394 million, or 32% of total mobile subscriptions.
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Mobile data traffic per smartphone in India is the highest globally at 36 GB/month, projected to rise to 65 GB/month by 2031.
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The growth is driven by expanding 5G networks, affordable FWA routers, and increasing demand for digital services.
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4G subscriptions are expected to decline steadily as users transition to 5G platforms.
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Enhanced mobile broadband and fixed wireless access will be key drivers of 5G adoption in both urban and rural areas.
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India’s digital transformation is being powered by 5G as critical infrastructure, enabling applications in healthcare, education, and smart manufacturing.
The report also forecasts global 5G subscriptions to reach 6.4 billion by 2031, accounting for two-thirds of all mobile users worldwide.
Sources: Ericsson Mobility Report, Rediff Business, NewsBytes.