Average Monthly Data Consumption in India Hits 27.5 GB, 5G Traffic Surges by 300%

Synopsis

In 2024, India's average monthly data usage per user reached 27.5 GB, marking a 19.5% CAGR over five years. Driven by a surge in 5G traffic, particularly from fixed wireless access users, data consumption is expected to continue increasing significantly.

Key Takeaways

Average monthly data use in India: 27.5 GB.
5G traffic increased 300% in a year.
5G users consume 12 times more data than average.
5G data to outpace 4G by 2026.
Rapid growth in 5G device ecosystem.

New Delhi, March 20 (NationPress) The average monthly data usage per individual in India has reached 27.5 gigabytes as of 2024, showcasing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.5 percent over the preceding five years, according to a recent report released on Thursday.

The relentless growth of 5G fixed wireless access (FWA) is a significant contributor to this surge in data consumption, with FWA users now utilizing over 12 times more data than the average mobile data consumer, fueled by innovative services in both residential and commercial sectors.

The national monthly 5G data traffic has escalated threefold and is projected to outpace 4G by the first quarter of 2026, as indicated by the annual Mobile Broadband Index (MBiT) by Nokia.

“We are excited to embark on this journey alongside our long-term operator partners to fulfill the ever-increasing demand for connectivity,” remarked Tarun Chhabra, Senior Vice President and Country Head of Nokia India.

The report highlights that Category B and C circles have been at the forefront of this growth, with 5G data consumption soaring by 3.4 times and 3.2 times, respectively.

The rollout of 5G networks in these regions has been a critical driver of this expansion. In metropolitan areas, 5G data usage now constitutes 43 percent of total mobile broadband data, up from 20 percent in 2023, while the growth of 4G data is on the decline.

The ecosystem for 5G devices in India is quickly progressing, with the count of active 5G devices doubling year over year to achieve 271 million in 2024.

This momentum is anticipated to accelerate, with nearly 90 percent of smartphones expected to be 5G-capable by 2025, according to the report.

Moreover, the shift towards 5G Advanced is likely to further unlock business opportunities, allowing for service differentiation, new revenue avenues, and cost savings through intelligent operations.

The capabilities of 5G Advanced are set to provide a groundwork for the transition to 6G, unveiling future applications such as distributed computing services, AI-driven intelligence, and enhanced connectivity and localization through spatial and temporal sensing.