India Hits 400 Million 5G Subscribers, Fastest 5G Adoption Globally

India Crosses 400 Million 5G Users in Just 3 Years, Ranks Second Globally

India has officially emerged as the second-largest 5G market in the world, crossing 400 million users in just over three years since the commercial launch of 5G services. The milestone was shared by Union Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia through a post on X.com (formerly Twitter), highlighting India’s rapid rise in next-generation connectivity.

The achievement places India behind only China, which currently has more than one billion 5G users, and ahead of several major global economies.

India Overtakes US, EU and Japan in 5G Adoption

China Still Leads Global 5G Subscriber Base

According to the data shared:

• China: Over 1 billion 5G users

• India: Over 400 million 5G users

• United States: Around 350 million

• European Union: Approximately 250 million

• Japan: Close to 190 million

India’s numbers underline how quickly the country has leapfrogged mature telecom markets in terms of 5G adoption.

India Beats Its Own 5G Growth Forecast

Notably, India was expected to reach 394 million 5G subscribers by the end of 2025, but the country has already surpassed that projection ahead of schedule. This makes India one of the fastest-growing 5G markets globally.

How India’s 5G Journey Began

PM Modi Launched 5G Services in October 2022

India’s 5G rollout officially began in October 2022, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched commercial 5G services during the India Mobile Congress.

The rollout focused on:

• Faster internet speeds

• Lower latency

• Enabling advanced digital services

• Supporting the government’s Digital India vision

Telecom companies showcased real-world 5G use cases, highlighting applications across healthcare, education, manufacturing, and smart infrastructure.

Role of Telecom Operators in India’s 5G Expansion

Reliance Jio, Airtel and Vodafone Idea Lead the Push

Reliance Jio

• First to roll out Jio True 5G

• Focused on Standalone (SA) 5G architecture

Bharti Airtel

• Launched Airtel 5G Plus shortly after Jio

• Adopted a mix of Non-Standalone (NSA) and SA deployment

Vodafone Idea (Vi)

• Began limited 5G services in 2024

• Plans wider expansion in 2025 after securing additional funding

Massive Infrastructure Investments

All private telecom operators invested heavily in:

• New mobile towers

• Fiber optic networks

• Standalone and Non-Standalone 5G technology

These investments were critical to handling the surge in high-speed data demand.

Why India’s 5G Adoption Is Growing So Rapidly

Cheap Mobile Data Remains the Biggest Driver

India continues to offer some of the lowest mobile data prices globally, even after recent tariff hikes. Many telecom providers have bundled 5G access at no extra cost with existing plans, encouraging users to upgrade without hesitation.

High Data Consumption Habits

Indians already consume more mobile data per user than any other country, accelerating the transition to faster networks.

Ericsson Mobility Report: What Lies Ahead for India’s 5G Market

India to Reach 1 Billion 5G Users by 2031

According to Ericsson’s Mobility Report (November 2025):

• India is expected to reach 1 billion 5G users by 2031

• Nearly 80 percent of the population will be on 5G networks

Mobile Data Usage to Nearly Double

• Current average usage: 36GB per smartphone per month

• Expected usage by 2031: 65GB per smartphone per month

This sharp rise will further strengthen India’s position as a global leader in mobile connectivity.

India’s 5G Story Is Just Beginning

Crossing 400 million 5G users in just three years is a landmark moment for India’s telecom sector. With affordable data, aggressive network expansion, and strong government backing, India’s 5G journey is accelerating faster than almost anywhere else in the world.

As the country moves toward the 1 billion user mark, 5G is set to become the backbone of India’s digital economy, powering everything from smart cities and AI-driven services to next-generation manufacturing and innovation.