The Ericsson Mobility Report for November reveals that the number of 5G users in India is projected to reach 270 million by the end of 2024, with 5G signals expected to cover 95% of the population. By 2030, 5G subscriptions in India are anticipated to skyrocket to 970 million, accounting for 74% of total mobile subscriptions.
In contrast, 4G subscriptions in India are predicted to decline from the current 640 million to 240 million by 2030, constituting only 18% of total mobile users. The report also notes that India leads the world in average monthly data consumption per smartphone, currently at 32 GB, compared to the global average of 19 GB. This figure is expected to double to 66 GB per month by 2030.
The November 2024 Ericsson #MobilityReport is live now! 🎉
— Ericsson (@ericsson) November 26, 2024
Explore the latest findings from the telecom industry, including ⬇️
✅ Global #5G subscription forecasts for 2030
✅ 5G standalone deployment figures
✅ An update on #6G
Get your copy: https://t.co/EhRSemnTIU pic.twitter.com/7EZ53MUQ2I
Global 5G Trends
Worldwide, 5G subscriptions are expected to hit 2.3 billion by the end of 2024, representing a quarter of all mobile connections. The milestone where global 5G subscriptions surpass 4G is forecasted for 2027. By the decade’s end, global 5G subscriptions are projected to reach 6.3 billion, with 69% operating in standalone (SA) mode.
In India, Reliance Jio has adopted the 5G SA model, while Bharti Airtel uses a non-SA approach. Globally, 85% of the population will be covered by 5G networks by 2030, which will handle 70% of mobile traffic and drive all growth in data consumption. By then, 80% of global data traffic is expected to be carried over 5G networks.
Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) Growth
Global FWA connections are projected to grow from the current 160 million to 350 million by 2030, with 80% of these over 5G. In four out of six global regions, more than 80% of telecom operators now offer FWA services. Notably, 43% of FWA providers now offer speed-based plans comparable to cable or fiber services, a significant increase from 30% last year. However, 4G-based FWA connections are expected to peak by 2026.
5G Monetization Opportunities
The annual Ericsson ConsumerLab report emphasizes the importance of differentiated 5G services for telecom operators to monetize the technology. It highlights the need for networks to adapt rapidly to surging demand during large-scale events like the Indian Premier League and international concerts in India, underlining the transformative potential of 5G for both connectivity and user experience.
