Outlook Business Desk
Launched in 2022, India’s 5G network has seen rapid adoption, with the number of active 5G devices doubling year-on-year to reach 271 million in 2024, according to Nokia’s MBiT report published last week.
The report claims that approximately 80% of smartphones replaced in 2024 were 5G-capable, contributing to 5G smartphones making up 79% of total smartphone shipments, up from 55% in 2023. By 2025, nearly 90% of replaced smartphones are expected to be 5G-capable.
Pan-India monthly 5G traffic has surged threefold year-on-year, with Category B and C circles driving the growth. The average monthly data consumption per user has risen to 27.5 GB in 2024, reflecting a CAGR of 19.5% over the last five years, while the average monthly 5G data usage per user stands at 40 GB.
5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) has emerged as a key driver of data traffic growth, accounting for up to 25% of overall 5G data consumption. Notably, 5G FWA users consume over 12 times more data than mobile data users.
The report noted that in metro circles, 5G data usage now accounts for 43% of total mobile broadband data, up from 20% in 2023, while 4G data growth is declining.
5G Advanced deployments are expected to begin in 2024, with advancements continuing through 2028 and beyond. This evolution will expand 5G’s capabilities to support new use cases, including AI/ML-supported operations, intent-based management, and programmable RAN via APIs.
By October 2024, 5G services were available across all states and union territories in India, with connectivity in 779 out of 783 districts. As of February 2025, the country had nearly 470,000 5G base stations, serving over 250 million active subscribers.
Vi initiated tests for its commercial 5G services in Mumbai on March 21, 2025, marking a significant milestone in its network evolution. The company aims to deploy 75,000 5G sites nationwide over the next three years.
BSNL plans to launch high-speed 4G services by mid-2025, followed by an upgrade to 5G. The 4G infrastructure is designed to be upgradable to 5G, ensuring a seamless transition. The state-owned operator intends to install between 70,000 and 100,000 mobile towers nationwide as part of its 5G rollout strategy.