India’s average monthly data consumption per user reached 27.5 gigabytes in 2024, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.5 per cent over the past five years, according to a report released on March 20.
The rise of 5G fixed wireless access (FWA) has played a key role in this growth, with FWA users consuming over 12 times more data than the average mobile user, particularly in residential and business sectors.
Nokia’s annual Mobile Broadband Index (MBiT) report revealed that 5G data traffic in India has tripled and is projected to surpass 4G traffic by Q1 2026.
Tarun Chhabra, Senior Vice President and Country Head of Nokia India, emphasized, “We are committed to collaborating with operators to address the growing demand for connectivity.”
In terms of regional data usage, Category B and C circles saw the most significant growth, with 5G data usage increasing by 3.4 and 3.2 times, respectively. In metro areas, 5G now accounts for 43 per cent of mobile broadband data, up from 20 per cent in 2023, as 4G usage declines.
The 5G device ecosystem is rapidly evolving, with the number of active 5G devices doubling year-on-year to 271 million in 2024. Nearly 90 per cent of smartphones expected to be replaced in 2025 are anticipated to be 5G-capable.
The report also highlights the advancement toward 5G Advanced, which is set to unlock new business opportunities, create additional revenue streams, and lay the groundwork for future technologies, including 6G.
