India's Data Consumption Set to Double by 2030, Driven by Massive 5G Expansion: Ericsson Mobility Report
India Leads Global Mobile Data Usage Per User
India is poised to retain its global leadership in mobile data consumption per user, with data usage per smartphone projected to rise from 32 GB/month in 2024 to 62 GB/month by 2030, according to the latest Ericsson Mobility Report. This growth highlights India’s digital trajectory as the world’s most data-hungry mobile market.
The current data consumption per user is already the highest globally. The expected doubling over the next six years underscores a transformative demand for high-speed connectivity, video streaming, gaming, and AI-powered applications in both urban and rural regions.
5G Subscriptions to Triple by 2030
India's 5G subscriber base, which stood at 290 million in December 2024 (around 24% of total mobile subscribers), is projected to surge to 980 million by 2030—representing 75% of all mobile subscriptions in the country. This dramatic shift will see a corresponding decline in 4G subscriptions, from the current dominant position of 53% to just 230 million by 2030.
The expansion is supported by:
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Mid-band spectrum deployment
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Improved Fixed Wireless Access (FWA)
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Affordable smartphone penetration
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Strong national 5G coverage, which reached 95% of India’s population by end-2024.
India's 5G Rollout: Among the Fastest in the World
Since its launch in October 2022, 5G services have been rolled out in all Indian states and Union Territories. As of February 28, 2025, the country had 4.69 lakh 5G Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) installed by telecom service providers—making India one of the fastest 5G rollouts globally.
Currently, 99.6% of all Indian districts have access to 5G services, as per government data. The rapid deployment is setting the foundation for inclusive digital transformation across sectors.
AI Integration to Further Accelerate Data Demand
The report also notes a strong intersection between 5G adoption and generative AI (GenAI). GenAI is rapidly becoming a major selling point for next-generation smartphones, not just in the premium category but increasingly in the mid-segment.
As AI-based tasks grow in complexity, data processing will become more distributed—across devices and networks—making uplink capacity and latency performance critical. This shift is expected to accelerate both consumer and enterprise 5G adoption in the coming years.
Global 5G Trends and India's Competitive Edge
By 2030, global 5G subscriptions are projected to reach 6.3 billion, comprising two-thirds of all mobile subscriptions worldwide.
Key projected regional 5G penetration levels by 2030:
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Western Europe: 93%
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North America: 91%
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Global Capability Centres (GCC): 90%
India, with its cost-effective 5G deployment strategy, growing digital infrastructure, and AI-readiness, is expected to maintain a strong position in this global digital ecosystem.
Industry Outlook and Commentary
According to Nitin Bansal, Managing Director of Ericsson India:
"We are proud to support the country’s digitalisation based on the strong 4G and 5G infrastructure we have built in partnership with telecom service providers. This is enabling seamless connectivity and driving inclusive growth."
The higher video content consumption, digital public services, smart education, and e-healthcare applications are anticipated to further catalyze data growth, pushing Indian networks toward higher efficiency and capability benchmarks.
Conclusion: India’s Digital Leap is Only Beginning
India’s data consumption boom and aggressive 5G rollout signal a new digital age, with the potential to revolutionize industries, empower remote areas, and redefine mobile experiences. As per-user data usage soars and AI becomes embedded in everyday interactions, the telecom sector will continue to be the backbone of India’s digital economy.
India is not just catching up with global digital benchmarks—it is setting them.
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