Mobile Data Usage in India Crosses 31 GB Per User Amid 5G Expansion

India’s digital appetite is surging at an unprecedented pace, with 5G at the heart of this transformation. The latest findings from the Nokia Mobile Broadband Index reveal a country rapidly scaling up both consumption and capability, driven by next-gen connectivity and AI-led applications.

How fast is India’s data consumption growing?

India’s average monthly mobile data usage per user has now crossed 31 GB, underlining a massive shift in how consumers engage with digital services. Total mobile data traffic has surpassed 27 exabytes (EB) per month, with 5G alone contributing 12.9 EB in 2025.

This surge reflects an 18 per cent compound annual growth rate over the past five years, powered by high-definition video streaming, cloud gaming, and the increasing adoption of artificial intelligence-driven platforms.

Is 5G now the backbone of India’s digital ecosystem?

5G technology has firmly established itself as a central pillar of India’s connectivity landscape, accounting for approximately 47 per cent of total mobile broadband traffic. Metro cities are leading the charge, where 5G contributes 58 per cent of overall data traffic.

India already boasts the world’s second-largest 5G subscriber base and ranks second globally in 5G data consumption. The report projects that the country’s 5G subscriber base could cross the 1 billion mark by 2031, further cementing its leadership in next-generation connectivity.

What role will AI and devices play in shaping the future?

The expansion of 5G is being reinforced by strong device readiness. While India has 892 million active 4G devices, over 383 million are already 5G-capable. Notably, more than 90 per cent of smartphones shipped during the year support 5G, enabling seamless upgrades and stronger network deployment.

The report also flags the onset of an AI supercycle, which is expected to redefine network demand. As AI-powered applications and immersive technologies scale up, networks will need to support higher uplink speeds and lower latency, pushing telecom infrastructure into a new era.

Vibha Mehra, Country Manager - Designate for India at Nokia, said, "India's mobile broadband landscape is entering a new phase of evolution, driven by rapid 5G adoption and the growing influence of AI-led applications. As networks transform to support new usage patterns and intelligent services, Nokia remains committed to partnering with telcos to build scalable, high-performance and future-ready connectivity infrastructure."

(With inputs from ANI)