Data from the Nokia Mobile Broadband Index report reveals that India has 131 million 5G users as of December 2023, using 3.6 times more data than 4G connections. became. This data consumption is set to skyrocket as the number of 5G users is expected to nearly quadruple in two years to 575 million.
The transition from 4G to 5G will be rapid, as we will see in 2023. The number of 4G subscribers as a percentage of the total data subscriber base decreased to 724 million from 787 million a year ago.
Telcos are already building 5G networks across the country, and in 2023, 14.8% of data traffic will come from 5G, compared to 1.7% in 2022. 5G services were officially launched in India in October 2022. The 5G device ecosystem in India is: It’s rapidly evolving, with approximately 17% of active 4G devices now 5G-enabled, or 134 million out of a total of 796 million. Active 5G-enabled devices are expected to reach 158 million by the end of this month.
5G traffic has shown significant growth in all communication circles, with Metrocircle leading the way, reaching a 20% share of total mobile data traffic.
In 2023, users will consume 17.4 exabytes per month, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 26% over the past five years. The average monthly data traffic per user also increased by 24% year-on-year in 2023, reaching 24.1 GB per user per month.
Enhanced 5G availability and performance, coupled with the availability of a wide range of affordable devices and the introduction of new data-intensive apps and services, will accelerate future 5G growth.
The rise of 5G fixed wireless access (FWA) will also be a key enabler of new services for both homes and businesses, with FWA users expected to consume an estimated 2.5 times more data than the average 5G user.
“What is immediately clear is the incredible uptake of 5G technology across India, driving demand for ultra-fast 5G data speeds,” said Tarun Chhabra, Head of Mobile Networks Business, Nokia (India). He says:
The Nokia MBiT 2024 report also highlights that the years leading up to 2030 will bring major changes in technology, bringing new opportunities and a digital and programmable world. Key technology themes shaping the world in 2030 include the metaverse, AI/ML, cloud, Web 3.0, and more.
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