India's 5G Surge: A Digital Revolution by 2031

By 2031, India's 5G subscriber base is set to exceed 1.1 billion, driven by affordable smartphones and expanding networks, according to Ericsson's latest report. With 5G poised to transform digital experiences, 4G usage will decline significantly. This shift cements India's dominance in mobile data consumption.

India is on the brink of a digital transformation, as the country's 5G subscriber base is projected to surpass 1.1 billion by the end of 2031. This phenomenal growth, reported by the latest Ericsson Mobility Report, will see an 81% subscription penetration rate, largely driven by affordable 5G-enabled smartphones and widespread network expansion.

The report indicates a seismic shift from 4G to 5G, with 430 million subscriptions recorded at the end of 2025. This constituted 35% of India’s total mobile subscriptions. However, as billions embrace 5G, 4G usage is expected to plummet from 570 million in 2025 to roughly 160 million by 2031.

In an emerging trend, India continues to lead globally in mobile data consumption with current usage at 37 GB per smartphone per month, expected to double by 2031. Highlighting the findings, Nitin Bansal of Ericsson India emphasized that the robust 5G ecosystem is reshaping consumer experiences and fortifying Digital India's initiatives.