NEW DELHI: Indians will consume the most data in the world by 2028 at 62GB per user per month, ahead of developed markets such as the US, those in western Europe, South Korea and China. Some of the world’s cheapest data rates, growth of 5G networks and faster penetration of affordable smartphones will keep people online in the country.
According to forecasts made in the Ericsson Mobility Report (June 2023), 5G is set for an exponential growth in India, logging one of the fastest ramp-ups in the world as consumers in the country will increase from 10 million at the end of 2022 to 700 million by 2028-end. This would make India the second-biggest single market for 5G subscribers worldwide, while China would be the largest at 1,310 million users.
The growth in 5G will also come at a time when 4G subscriber numbers in India would start declining as mobile networks would rapidly transition to next-gen 5G, with not very dramatic changes in tariffs. 4G subscriptions are forecast to decline from 820 million in 2022 to 500 million by 2028.
Consumer data consumption in India will grow at a CAGR of 16% between 2022 and 2028, moving up from 26GB (per user per month) recorded at the end of 2022, the biannual Ericsson report – which captures global trends in the telecom sector – said.
Total mobile subscriptions in the region are estimated to grow to 1.2 billion in 2028. Ericsson forecasts that smartphone subscriptions in India as a percentage of total mobile users will grow from 76% in 2022 to 93% in 2028.
“Mobile networks continue to play a pivotal role in driving social and economic inclusion in the country. The strong digital infrastructure being established in India will help the country bridge the digital divide,” Nitin Bansal, head of Ericsson India, said.
According to forecasts made in the Ericsson Mobility Report (June 2023), 5G is set for an exponential growth in India, logging one of the fastest ramp-ups in the world as consumers in the country will increase from 10 million at the end of 2022 to 700 million by 2028-end. This would make India the second-biggest single market for 5G subscribers worldwide, while China would be the largest at 1,310 million users.
The growth in 5G will also come at a time when 4G subscriber numbers in India would start declining as mobile networks would rapidly transition to next-gen 5G, with not very dramatic changes in tariffs. 4G subscriptions are forecast to decline from 820 million in 2022 to 500 million by 2028.
Consumer data consumption in India will grow at a CAGR of 16% between 2022 and 2028, moving up from 26GB (per user per month) recorded at the end of 2022, the biannual Ericsson report – which captures global trends in the telecom sector – said.
Total mobile subscriptions in the region are estimated to grow to 1.2 billion in 2028. Ericsson forecasts that smartphone subscriptions in India as a percentage of total mobile users will grow from 76% in 2022 to 93% in 2028.
“Mobile networks continue to play a pivotal role in driving social and economic inclusion in the country. The strong digital infrastructure being established in India will help the country bridge the digital divide,” Nitin Bansal, head of Ericsson India, said.
