This milestone was achieved following 162 million new additions worldwide, pushing the total to 3.1 billion.

The latest Ericsson Mobility Report has unveiled a transformative outlook for the digital landscape, forecasting that India will surpass 1.1 billion 5G subscriptions by 2031. This expansion represents a massive shift, with 5G technology expected to command 81 percent of all mobile connections in the country within the next five years.

On a global scale, the surge is equally impressive, with 5G mobile subscriptions officially crossing the three billion mark during the first quarter of 2026. This milestone was achieved following 162 million new additions worldwide, pushing the total to 3.1 billion. Experts predict this global figure will more than double to reach 6.4 billion by the end of 2031.

Commenting on the trajectory, Nitin Bansal, Managing Director of Ericsson India, stated that the country’s rapidly growing 5G ecosystem is fundamentally reshaping digital experiences. He noted that the robust and secure infrastructure is driving inclusion, governance, and innovation at scale, effectively serving as a powerful foundation for the broader 'Digital India' initiative.

Despite this rapid 5G momentum, 4G remains the dominant technology in India, currently accounting for 46 percent of total subscriptions. However, as users migrate to newer networks, 4G subscriptions are projected to decline significantly from approximately 570 million in 2025 to nearly 160 million by 2031.

The future of connectivity is also defined by exponential data growth, with average monthly usage per smartphone in India expected to double from 37 GB to 70 GB by 2031.