With above 50 million users, India accounts for 5% global 5G consumers

By 2028, according to Ericsson, India would be the second-largest market for 5G subscribers only behind China.

Last month saw the 50 million mark in 5G users nationwide, a remarkable breakthrough six months after the introduction of 5G services in India. This indicates that by December 31, 2022, 4.37% of the nation's total telecom customers wre 5G subscribers, according to TRAI data. It is projected to comprise about 6.5% of the 773 million 4G subscribers worldwide. If viewed worldwide, India presently accounts for 5% of the 1 billion 5G users worldwide as of the end of 2022.

In terms of 5G subscribers, India is already nearly surpassed Western Europe. According to the Ericsson Mobility report, by the end of 2022, Western Europe had 63 million 5G users which accounts for a total 11.5 percent penetration.

There are only 19 million users in Latin America. The statistics 31 million in Southeast Asia and Oceania, 9 million in West Asia and North Africa, and 15 million in the Gulf cooperation Council. These numbers apply through the end of 2022.

According to Ericsson Mobility report, Global 5G subscriptions topped the one billion milestone at the close of 2022.Some 136 million 5G subscriptions were added globally between October and December 2022, bringing the total to just above one billion. At the close of 2022, 235 communications service providers (CSPs) had launched commercial 5G services. About 35 CSPs have deployed or launched 5G standalone (SA) networks.

It is important to note that, India must seize three important markets. The first being China, where there are 644 million 5G subscribers, or around 38% of all subscribers in total. The second important market is North America, where the anticipated number by the end of 2022 is 141 million 5G subscribers, about twice as many as in 2021. Its penetration has therefore increased to 35%. And the third important market is East Asia that is held by countries like South Korea, Japan and Taiwan. The 5G subscriber base by the end of 2022 in this particular section was recorded at 84 million.

On the development of 5G in India, experts have provided a variety of projections. By 2028, according to Ericsson, India would be the second-largest market for 5G subscribers only behind China. Indeed, Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, the two major telecom operators in India are rapidly extending their 5G networks nationwide. More than 1,16,000 of their towers are 5G-ready, which accounts for nearly 15% of all towers.

In accordance with the latest DoT data, Mukesh Ambani owned Reliance Jio has recently installed close to 1 lakh telecom towers, nearly 5 times of its nearest competition, to roll out India's fastest and deepest penetration 5G telecom network to provide ultra-high speed internet.

Jio has announced the Jio True 5G Welcome Offer, where users can will be able to access unlimited 5G data with up to 1Gbps+ speeds. But, the Jio 5G Welcome Offer is only valid for select users in select cities (via Invitation). The Jio 5G Welcome benefit is available for beta trial users who have received an invitation to experience Jio True 5G.

Whereas, Airtel customers can access 5G Speeds on all existing Airtel data plans. Airtel’s introductory, unlimited 5G data offer will be available to all postpaid as well as prepaid consumers with data plans costing Rs 239 or above. The only requirements are having a 5G-enabled device and being close to a 5G network location.

Airtel is deploying its 5G on Non-standalone (NSA) infrastructure whereas Reliance Jio is deploying its network on Standalone(SA)5G network and both the telcos have by far introduced their 5G services in over 500 cities.