India's digital landscape is experiencing a seismic shift as average monthly data consumption per user skyrockets to 27.5 gigabytes (GB) in 2024, marking a remarkable 19.5% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the past five years. This surge in data usage is primarily driven by the rapid expansion of 5G technology and the increasing penetration of smartphones across the nation.
5G fixed wireless access (FWA) has been a game-changer, with users consuming over 12 times more data than average mobile users. This technology is particularly popular in residential and business sectors, significantly boosting overall data consumption.
According to Nokia’s latest Mobile Broadband Index (MBiT) report, 5G data traffic in India has tripled year-on-year, with projections indicating that it will surpass 4G traffic by the first quarter of 2026. In metro areas, 5G now accounts for 43% of mobile broadband data usage, up from just 20% in 2023.
The number of active 5G devices in India has doubled to approximately 271 million in 2024. As consumers increasingly replace their smartphones, nearly 90% of devices expected to be sold in 2025 are anticipated to support 5G networks. The growth in data usage is particularly pronounced in Category B and C circles, where 5G data consumption has surged by 3.4 times and 3.2 times, respectively. This indicates a significant shift towards faster internet connectivity in less urbanised areas.
Analysts predict that as more users transition to 5G, monthly data consumption will continue to rise, with FWA playing a critical role in this growth. The anticipated rollout of 5G Advanced technologies is expected to further enhance service differentiation and create new revenue streams for telecom operators.
