31 Million Indian Users Expected to Upgrade to 5G Phones in 2023: Ericsson Survey

• ByStartupStory     |    October 3, 2023

In a recent global Consumer Lab survey conducted by Ericsson, it has been projected that approximately 31 million users in India will upgrade to 5G phones in 2023. The study, conducted between May and June 2023, involved interviews with over 37,000 consumers across 28 countries, reflecting the opinions of approximately 1.5 billion consumers, including 650 million 5G users.

According to the report published on October 3, 5G has significantly increased overall network satisfaction in India by 30 percent compared to 4G. “According to the study, based on tech attitudes and affordability, 31 million users could upgrade to 5G phones in 2023. This presents a vast opportunity for further 5G adoption in the country,” noted Jasmeet Sethi, Head of ConsumerLab, Ericsson Research during a press briefing.

The report highlights that Indian consumers are among the most data-hungry in the world. 5G users in India stand out for their high daily engagement with apps such as streaming high-definition video, video calling services, mobile gaming, and augmented reality. On average, they spend two hours more per week using these services compared to users in other early adopter 5G markets. There are at least 15 percent more daily 5G users in India using mobile applications than in any other early adopter markets.

Moreover, India’s 5G satisfaction levels and perceived 5G availability match or surpass those in early adopter markets. India boasts a remarkable 13 percent higher share of very satisfied 5G users compared to the early adopter market average.

The report also identifies an evolving trend in 5G network satisfaction drivers. In markets where 5G population coverage exceeds 80 percent, long-time users prioritize video quality and upload speeds for the apps they use, reflecting evolving expectations.

As per the report, 52 percent of Indian users are very satisfied with their 5G overall network connections, offering them higher speeds compared to 4G. India’s early 5G adopters prioritize app experience and put video streaming, video calling, and voice clarity over calls at the forefront of their expectations.

India has witnessed the fastest 5G rollout with 100 percent Made in India for India and has the highest average monthly usage per smartphone of 26GB per month, the report reveals. Nitin Bansal, Head of Ericsson India, noted that India is set to experience rising data demand in the next few years.

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