India has witnessed remarkable progress in its 5G technology, resulting in a significant improvement in mobile download speeds over the past year, according to Ookla® data. The Speedtest Global Index™ revealed that India has climbed 72 places, now ranking 47th globally, with 5G playing a pivotal role in this advancement.
Since the introduction of 5G, India has experienced a 3.59 times increase in speed performance, with median download speeds surging from 13.87 Mbps in September 2022 to an impressive 50.21 Mbps in August 2023. This substantial improvement propelled India from the 119th position to the 47th position on the Speedtest Global Index™.
The benefits of 5G deployment are widespread, impacting all telecom circles in the country. The improved user experience is attributed to operators’ investments in backhaul infrastructure, and major players like Jio and Airtel have contributed significantly to the growth of 5G subscribers. With ambitious rollout plans and the deployment of numerous 5G base stations across the nation, these operators are expanding their 5G coverage.
Beyond faster speeds, 5G has also led to higher customer satisfaction, evident in the Net Promoter Score (NPS). 5G users consistently rate their network operators more positively compared to 4G users, reflecting the positive impact of 5G technology on user experience.
The deployment of 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) services has further enhanced broadband connectivity, especially in areas where laying fiber is impractical. This has contributed to improved performance and greater user satisfaction.
Speedtest Intelligence® data indicates a remarkable 259% increase in median download speeds across India since before the launch of 5G. The Speedtest Global Index™ now positions India ahead of neighboring countries like Indonesia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, as well as some G20 nations.
India’s 4G networks had previously faced challenges in meeting consumer expectations due to network congestion, population density, and spectrum constraints. However, the introduction of 5G has addressed these issues, leading to successful offloading of 4G traffic onto 5G networks.
5G speeds in India have demonstrated their superiority over 4G, with median download speeds in August 2023 being 2,003% faster than those on 4G. This increase has been facilitated by operators’ investments in fiber technology to improve backhaul.
The Net Promoter Score (NPS) for 5G users in India has consistently outperformed that of 4G users across most telecom regions, indicating a higher level of customer satisfaction. The implementation of 5G has also enabled operators to achieve maximum download speeds exceeding 1.7 Gbps.
Furthermore, 5G FWA services have been introduced as an alternative to fixed networks, providing broadband connectivity in areas where laying fiber is challenging. Airtel and Jio have launched 5G FWA services, extending their coverage and offering a variety of plans to cater to different user needs.
As 5G deployments continue in India, the number of subscribers is steadily increasing. Operators like Jio and Airtel have ambitious rollout targets, aiming to deploy a significant number of base stations to address the growing demand for data consumption.
The impressive progress in India’s 5G technology is expected to have a lasting impact on the country’s mobile landscape, offering users enhanced speeds, improved performance, and a more satisfying overall experience.
