By Jessica Murdock
India Leads the Charge in 5G and Gen AI Revolution: Key Insights from Ericsson’s Latest Reports
India is rapidly emerging as a global leader in 5G adoption and generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) usage, according to the latest findings from Ericsson’s Mobility and ConsumerLab reports, presented on November 26, 2024. The reports highlight the country’s pivotal role in both transforming global connectivity and adopting cutting-edge technologies like AI, which have the potential to revolutionize multiple sectors.
India’s Pioneering 5G Adoption
India is at the forefront of the 5G revolution, with the country setting an unprecedented milestone by launching 5G with 95% coverage. Ericsson’s mobility report predicts that by 2024, India will have over 270 million 5G subscriptions, expected to grow to 970 million by 2030. This rapid adoption of 5G coincides with record data consumption, with Indian smartphone users consuming an average of 32 GB of data monthly—set to rise to 66 GB by 2039.
Phase Two of 5G: Use Cases and Real-World Applications
According to Jasmeet Sethi, head of Ericsson ConsumerLab, the second phase of 5G deployment is focused on enhancing user experiences in high-demand environments. While the first phase concentrated on coverage and speed, future efforts will revolve around creating tailored experiences, particularly in high-traffic areas like concert venues, shopping malls, and stadiums. The challenge lies in handling uplink traffic, which surges during live events, as people increasingly livestream their experiences.
Consumer Expectations: The Shift Towards Guaranteed Performance
Consumer behavior is shifting as Indian users demand more from their mobile networks. A significant 64% of Indian consumers attending concerts and live events expect network issues despite using 5G. They are even willing to pay extra for guaranteed performance. This demand is driving the evolution of 5G networks from a best-effort model to one that ensures seamless, reliable performance, with tailored plans addressing latency, uplink speeds, and overall reliability.
India Leads in Generative AI Adoption
India is not only advancing in 5G but is also becoming a global leader in Gen AI usage. According to the reports, Indian consumers trust AI more than those in other major markets like the US, seeing its potential to enhance creativity, productivity, and problem-solving. With AI-powered features now topping the list of priorities for smartphone buyers, the demand for network responsiveness, particularly for uplink traffic, will continue to rise.
The Future of 5G and Gen AI in India
By 2030, India is expected to control over 20% of the global fixed wireless access (FWA) market, which will dramatically improve connectivity for millions of households. The growing adoption of Gen AI apps, with 67% of 5G smartphone users expected to use AI tools weekly, further underscores the country’s leading role in the AI-driven future. The next phase of 5G and AI adoption will focus on innovation, personalized connectivity, and support for emerging use cases, with India at the helm of this digital transformation.
India’s journey into the future of 5G and Gen AI is marked by immense opportunities as well as challenges, with both sectors poised to redefine the digital landscape in the coming years. As 5G networks evolve and Gen AI continues to take center stage, India is setting a global example for tech-driven progress and innovation.
