India’s 5G Traffic Surges over 70% YoY | Nokia MBiT Index 2026

Key Takeaways

• 5G traffic up 70% YoY to 12.9 EB.
• 5G now 47% of mobile broadband traffic.
• Average user consumes 31 GB monthly data.
• 383 million devices are 5G‑capable.
• India may reach 1 billion 5G users by 2031.

Pulse Analysis

India’s 5G explosion is reshaping the global telecom landscape. The Nokia MBiT Index reveals that 12.9 exabytes of 5G data were transmitted in 2025, a 70% increase over the prior year. This growth outpaces most mature markets and reflects a confluence of affordable 5G handsets, aggressive spectrum allocations, and a consumer appetite for data‑heavy services such as AI‑driven applications, 4K video, and cloud gaming. The surge has pushed 5G to represent nearly half of all mobile broadband traffic, signaling a decisive shift from legacy 4G networks to next‑generation connectivity.

For operators, the traffic surge translates into both a challenge and an opportunity. Networks must evolve toward AI‑native, intent‑based architectures to handle higher uplink loads, lower latency, and distributed computing demands. The expanding device ecosystem—over 383 million 5G‑ready phones in 2025 and 90% of new shipments supporting 5G—provides a solid foundation for monetizing premium services, edge computing, and enterprise solutions. Telecoms that invest in scalable, high‑performance infrastructure can capture new revenue streams from verticals such as autonomous vehicles, smart manufacturing, and immersive media.

Looking ahead, India’s trajectory points to a billion 5G subscribers by 2031, cementing its status as the world’s second‑largest 5G market. This scale will attract multinational equipment vendors, cloud providers, and content creators seeking to tap a massive, data‑hungry audience. The country’s leadership in 5G consumption also positions it as a testbed for emerging technologies, from AI‑enhanced networks to 6G research. Stakeholders that align with this momentum—through strategic partnerships, spectrum investments, and innovative service offerings—stand to reap significant competitive advantage in the evolving digital economy.