India Set to Achieve 700 Million 5G Users by 2028, says Ericsson Report

India's 5G User Base to Reach 700 Million by 2028, Forecasts Ericsson

According to the Ericsson Mobility Report, India is poised to witness a substantial surge in 5G subscribers, with the number expected to reach a remarkable 700 million by the end of 2028. This projection indicates a significant growth trajectory compared to the 10 million 5G users recorded at the close of 2022.

Several factors contribute to this surge, including the rapid expansion of 5G network availability across cities, attractive pricing plans, and the increasing availability of 5G-enabled smartphones.

India Emerges as the Fastest-Growing Nation for 5G Adoption

The Ericsson report highlights that within the next five years, 5G technology is projected to account for 57% of all mobile subscriptions in India. This makes India the fastest-growing nation in terms of 5G adoption.

The report underscores the increasing trend of users transitioning from 4G to 5G networks, driven by the benefits and opportunities offered by the advanced technology.

Shift from 4G to 5G Subscriptions and Smartphone Adoption

At present, 4G subscriptions dominate the Indian market, reaching 820 million by the end of 2022. However, the report predicts a decline in 4G subscriptions to 500 million by the end of 2028. Concurrently, the total number of mobile subscriptions in India is anticipated to surge to 1.2 billion during the same period.

Additionally, smartphone subscriptions as a percentage of total mobile subscriptions are expected to grow from 76% in 2022 to 93% in 2028, highlighting the increasing reliance on smartphones for connectivity and digital services.

Mobile Networks Driving Social and Economic Inclusion

Nitin Bansal, head of Ericsson India and head of network solutions for Southeast Asia, Oceania, and India, emphasized the crucial role of mobile networks in driving social and economic inclusion in the country.

He stated, "The strong digital infrastructure being established in India will help the country bridge the digital divide, create jobs, drive entrepreneurship, and boost the economy." The growth of 5G networks is set to contribute significantly to India's progress and development.

Global 5G Subscriptions and Data Traffic Trends

In comparison to India, the Ericsson report expects global 5G subscriptions to reach 4.6 billion by the close of 2028. North America is anticipated to lead with 91% of its total smartphone users adopting 5G, while Western Europe is expected to achieve an 88% adoption rate.

Moreover, the report predicts that in India, average data traffic per smartphone will grow from 26 GB per month in 2022 to 62 GB per month in 2028, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16%. This significant increase in data consumption signifies the growing reliance on mobile connectivity for various purposes.

Rise in Fixed Wireless Access Connections

The Ericsson report highlights the importance of fixed wireless access (FWA) as a key use case for 5G technology. It predicts that the number of FWA connections worldwide will increase from 100 million at the end of 2022 to 300 million by the end of 2028. Notably, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to account for almost half of all FWA connections by 2028, with its share rising to 46% from the current 36%.

The projections indicate the significant growth potential for FWA technology in facilitating high-speed internet access in both urban and rural areas.

By providing affordable and widespread access to 5G networks, India is poised to embrace the transformative power of advanced connectivity, enabling societal progress, economic growth, and digital inclusion for millions of its citizens.