India’s 5G expansion has been fast, but a majority of users are still holding back. According to data for Q4FY25, only 43 per cent of Airtel and Reliance Jio’s smartphone subscribers have transitioned to 5G, leaving 57 per cent yet to upgrade to the next-gen network.
5G Adoption: Growth with Gaps
Airtel now has 135 million of its 272.8 million smartphone users on 5G, a 50 per cent rise over the year. Similarly, Jio has 191 million 5G users out of a total 488 million subscribers, up 47 per cent from Q1FY25. However, despite the impressive numbers, more than half of their users still remain on older networks like 4G.
Competitors Lag Behind in 5G Rollout
Other telecom players like Vodafone-Idea (Vi) and BSNL are still in early stages of their 5G journey. Vi has introduced limited 5G services in select metro cities, while BSNL plans to begin 5G rollout in June. Combined, they serve 296 million users, most of whom still rely on 2G, 3G, or 4G networks.
5G Yet to Drive Revenue Growth
Although 5G adoption has picked up, telcos are not seeing a significant boost in average revenue per user (ARPU). Most users access 5G under existing 4G plans, with no added cost. However, a general 20 per cent tariff hike in 2024 helped marginally. Jio’s ARPU rose to ₹206, while Airtel’s reached ₹245 in Q4FY25.
Future of 5G in India Looks Strong
Experts expect continued growth. Nokia estimates India will have 770 million 5G users by 2028, while Ericsson projects the number could reach 970 million by 2030—covering nearly 74 per cent of mobile users.
Conclusion: Fast Rollout, Slow Adoption
While 5G infrastructure is in place, more than half of Airtel and Jio users have yet to make the switch. Telcos must now focus on creating clear use cases, affordable devices, and better value propositions to convince the remaining 57 per cent to upgrade.
