India’s 5G Users to Surpass 1.1 Billion by 2031, Driven by Affordable 5G-Enabled Smartphones: Report

India could have more than 1.1 billion 5G subscriptions by the end of 2031, with the technology accounting for 81% of total mobile connections, according to The Economic Times, citing the latest Ericsson Mobility Report.  

The estimate is indicative of the continued expansion of 5G networks and a growing number of compatible smartphones in the market. 

Mobile Data Consumption on the Rise 

The report projects average monthly mobile data usage per smartphone to increase from 37 GB in 2025 to 70 GB by 2031.  

India is expected to remain the largest market globally on this measure, as video streaming, social media and digital services continue to drive internet usage across the country. 

4G Subscriber Base to Shrink 

At the end of 2025, India had around 430 million 5G subscriptions, making up 35% of total mobile subscriptions. In comparison, 4G remained the largest network technology with a 46% share. 

The report estimates that 4G subscriptions will decline from around 570 million in 2025 to nearly 160 million by 2031 as users gradually move to 5G networks. The shift is to continue over the forecast period as network coverage expands further. 

Global 5G Subscribers Rise 

Worldwide, 5G subscriptions reached 3.1 billion during the first quarter of 2026 after crossing the 3-billion mark. Ericsson expects the global figure to rise to 6.4 billion by the end of 2031. 

The report also notes that higher demand from artificial intelligence applications and other data-intensive services will increase pressure on mobile networks in the coming years. 

Read More: India Raises Export Levies on Diesel and ATF from June 16, 2026! 

Conclusion 

By 2031, 5G is projected to account for the majority of mobile subscriptions in India, with mobile data usage continuing to grow as users transition to newer networks. 

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