According to a recent report by OpenSignal, the 5G experience in India has improved significantly compared to 4G, with encouraging results in terms of availability, download speeds, and user experience. The report provides an overview of the global 5G landscape based on data collected from March 1 to May 29, 2023.
5G in India
India’s 5G journey began on October 1, 2022, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the next-generation technology at the India Mobile Congress. While 5G has been available in other countries for over four years, it was recently introduced in India and has already seen notable progress, which is highlighted in OpenSignal’s Global 5G Experience Report published on June 30, 2023.
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5G Availability
Among the key metrics analyzed in the report, 5G availability stands out as a key indicator of a country’s 5G infrastructure.
South Korea and Puerto Rico have become global leaders in this regard, with 5G users in these markets spending almost half the time connected to an active 5G network.
India outperformed many developed and mature markets, achieving a 5G availability score of 29.9%. This achievement reflects India’s status as one of the earliest adopters of 5G technology in the world.
5G Download Speeds
A key aspect of 5G performance – download speeds – was also explored in the report, with the analysis revealing that 5G networks offer significantly faster download speeds compared to 4G networks.
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In six markets, average 5G download speeds are more than 10x faster than 4G speeds: India (19.2x), Malaysia (14.4x), Sri Lanka (13.8x), Brazil (13.5x), Kuwait (10.8x) and Guatemala (10.4x). However, users in most markets will experience 5G speeds that are between 3x and 6x faster than 4G speeds.
India ranked sixth globally with an average 5G download speed of 301.6 Mbps, although speeds are expected to slow or stabilize at lower levels as 5G adoption expands.
5G video and 5G gaming experience
The report goes into more detail about the impact of 5G on user experience, with a particular focus on video and gaming: In India, 5G saw a 23.4% improvement in video experience and a 29.2% improvement in gaming experience compared to 4G.
These findings place India second globally in improved gaming experiences. Malaysia also performed well, ranking second in improved video and third in improved gaming with 5G.
OpenSignal’s report also provided insights into other global markets, highlighting countries such as Singapore, Austria and Sweden that offer excellent 5G video experiences.
In most other markets, the video experience was rated as very good, with India achieving commendable scores of 73.9% in the 5G video experience segment and 79.3% in the 5G gaming experience segment.
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5G Expansion in India
As India’s 5G experience continues to evolve, operators are working aggressively to expand its reach across the country. For example, Bharti Airtel has partnered with Taara to deploy wireless optical links, enabling connectivity in challenging terrains and remote areas.
Leveraging Taara’s high-speed, long-range technology, Airtel aims to bridge the digital divide, connect unconnected areas and further enhance the quality of 5G experience in India.
Conclusion
Advancements in 5G availability, download speeds, and user experience in India point to promising growth for the country’s telecom industry. With improved infrastructure and ongoing efforts towards expanding 5G connectivity, India is poised to emerge as a leader in the global 5G space, empowering its citizens and driving digital transformation across sectors.
