According to Nokia’s Mobile Broadband Index (MBiT) 2026, India has experienced significant growth in mobile data consumption and 5G traffic. The country’s average monthly mobile data usage per user exceeded 31 GB, with 5G traffic surging over 70% year-on-year. India now boasts the world’s second-largest 5G subscriber base, with 5G contributing about 47% to total mobile broadband traffic.
The report highlights the rapid expansion of enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) and the increasing demand for data-intensive applications like AI, 4K video streaming, and cloud gaming. Overall data traffic in 2025 surpassed 27 EB per month, driven by expanding 5G coverage and the availability of affordable 5G smartphones.
Metro circles lead in 5G adoption, constituting 58% of total mobile data traffic. Growth is observed across various circles, indicating wider 5G penetration nationwide. The report projects India’s 5G subscriber base could exceed 1 billion by 2031, showcasing the country’s growing global leadership in 5G connectivity.
Source: mint – technology