According to Ericsson, 2024 has cemented India’s position as a front runner in 5G based on rapid 5G deployments across the country and 5G coverage of over 90 per cent that has been achieved. 5G is unlocking transformative opportunities across industries such as healthcare, education, manufacturing to name a few, fuelled by the adoption of interne of thing (IoT), augmented reality (AR)/ virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven solutions.
According to a report by Ericsson, 5G subscriptions in India are expected to surpass 270 million, underscoring the country’s commitment to digital inclusion. India also leads globally in data consumption, with average monthly usage at 32 GB per user, projected to more than double to 66 GB by 2030, growing at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13 per cent. Generative AI (GenAI) is accelerating this growth, with 21 per cent of Indian users engaging with more than four AI-driven applications, significantly higher than 8 per cent in the U.S., boosting mobile traffic and innovation.
In addition to enhanced mobile broadband, fixed wireless access (FWA) has emerged as a strong 5G use case delivering the benefits of anywhere, anytime connectivity and digital inclusion across markets. The company is also seeing enterprises leveraging 5G to derive the benefits of automation and seamless connectivity.
The company mentioned that sustainability has also emerged as a priority, with telecom operators and infrastructure providers adopting energy-efficient technologies and renewable energy sources in alignment with India’s climate goals.
In addition, as per the company, looking ahead to 2025, the industry is poised for more innovation and expansion. Industry collaborations will play a central role in driving India’s digital transformation. Network densification, modernisation of networks, 5G use-cases, open programmable networks based on the exposure of network capabilities to application developers will fuel innovation and advance the country’s Digital India vision.
