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Indians are now the world’s biggest mobile data consumers, using an average of 36GB per person every month, according to a report cited by the Times of India. This is higher than mature markets such as the US, Western Europe and China, driven largely by low-cost data plans and affordable smartphones.
A strong content-streaming ecosystem, along with the growing popularity of short and long-form videos on social media, continues to push usage higher. A mobility report by Swedish network company Ericsson projects that India’s monthly data consumption will rise to 65GB per user by 2031, growing at an annual rate of 10 per cent.
India far ahead of global averages
India’s usage already outpaces the global average of 21GB per month, which is expected to increase to 39GB by 2031.\
Current usage levels elsewhere stand at 25GB in Western Europe and North America, 23GB in China, and 14GB in Latin America.
5G becomes central to India’s digital growth
Ericsson says 5G will remain the dominant force in India as the network expands across consumer and enterprise services. It estimates that India will have over one billion 5G subscriptions by 2031, reaching 79% penetration. By 2025, 5G subscriptions are expected to hit 394 million, or 32% of all mobile users.
Nitin Bansal, Managing Director of Ericsson India, said 5G has become critical to India’s digital transformation. Affordable 5G fixed-wireless access devices and high consumption among these users are significantly boosting data traffic.
‘Data cheaper than a cup of tea’: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently highlighted the sharp fall in mobile data prices, noting that “the cost of one GB of wireless data in India is now lower than the price of a cup of tea.”
He added that India’s high per-user consumption shows digital connectivity has become an essential part of everyday life.
India among early adopters of 6G
The Ericsson Mobility Report also suggests that India will be among the early adopters of 6G, alongside the US, Japan, South Korea, China and Gulf nations.
Global 6G subscriptions are forecast to reach 180 million by 2031, with Europe expected to see commercial rollout about a year later.