5G penetration rising amongst smartphone users; Over 1 in 2 of them say data speeds are faster and call drop situation is better after moving to 5G

Oct 15, 2024, New Delhi: With Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio intensively deploying 5G networks all over India, the number of 5G subscribers in the country grew from 10 million in 2022 to 180 million by the end of last months. This jump in numbers, expected to continue, comes as 5G technology witnesses increased adoption among users. The number of 5G subscriptions is projected to reach around 840 million by the end of 2029, when India's total mobile subscriptions is forecast to hit 1.3 billion, accounting for nearly 65% of all subscriptions, state multiple industry reports. Reports state that India has emerged as the world’s second-largest market for 5G smartphones, trailing only behind China. 5G smartphones are becoming increasingly prominent across various price ranges in India.In the first half of 2024, 5G-enabled devices made up more than 54% of the total handset market, surpassing the 50% threshold for the first time.

To strengthen the country's telecom infrastructure and provide affordable, high-quality services to citizens, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) held the 10th spectrum auction for radiowaves on June 25-26, 2024. The auction included eight spectrum bands ranging from 800 MHz to 26 GHz, totaling 10,522.35 MHz.

As India focuses on making 5G more accessible and telecom operators woo consumers to make the switch from 3G/ 4G to 5G network services, LocalCircles has conducted a survey to understand the experience of smartphone users so far. The survey received over 47,000 responses from smartphone users/consumers located in 361 districts of India. 67% respondents were men while 33% respondents were women. 44% respondents were from tier 1, 33% from tier 2 and 23% respondents were from tier 3, 4 and rural districts.

54% smartphone users surveyed have migrated to 5G services; Of those who have migrated, 1 in 2 says its working well

The survey first asked smartphone users, “What is your current status in regard to migrating to 5G services?” Out of 15,831 who responded to the question 29% stated “yes, already using 5G service and it’s working well”; 25% stated “yes, already using 5G service but it’s not working well”; 12% stated “no, have both compliant device and service available but haven’t switched”; 14%m stated “no, yet to get a 5G compliant device”; 6% stated “no, yet to get the 5G service from out telecom services provider”; 5% stated "no, neither 5G service is available nor do I have a 5G compliant device”; 4% of respondents did not give a clear answer and 5% of respondents stated the question is “not applicable (no plans to switch at all). To sum up, 54% smartphone users surveyed have migrated to 5G services; Of those who have migrated, 1 in 2 says its working well.

53% smartphone users surveyed who have migrated to 5G say the call drop/connect situation has improved post migrating from 3G/4G to 5G services

While many people are in the process of migrating or have already switched to 5G network, the LocalCircles platform as well as other social media platforms early on received many complaints about the quality of services provided. The survey asked smartphone users, “How is the call drop / call connect situation post migrating from 3G/4G to 5G services?” Of 15,766 smartphone users who responded to the question, 26% stated the services have “significantly improved”; 27% stated “somewhat improved”; 30% stated that there is “no improvement/ same as before”; 9% complained that it has “somewhat deteriorated”; 5% stated that it has in fact “significantly deteriorated”; and 3% of respondents did not give a clear answer. To sum up, 53% smartphone users surveyed who have migrated to 5G say the call drop/connect situation has improved post migrating from 3G/4G to 5G services.

Percentage of smartphone users who have migrated to 5G services and say the call drop and connect situation has improved rose from 16% in 2023 to 53% in 2024

Comparison of survey results in 2023 shows that the overall percentage of smartphone users who have migrated to 5G services and say the call drop and connect situation has improved from 16% last year to 53% in 2024. What is significant is that the new survey shows that the percentage of who think the service has “significantly improved” has risen from 4% last year to 26% currently since migration to 5G.

60% smartphone users surveyed who have migrated to 5G say the 5G data connection is faster as compared to the 3G/4G data connection

Having a good internet connection is almost a must for those like to work on their smartphone while on the move or those watching streaming content. The survey next asked smartphone users, “How do you find the 5G data connection as compared to the 3G/4G connection you had previously?” Out of 15,887 smartphones users who responded to the question 42% stated “somewhat faster” and 18% stated “significantly faster”. Of the remaining, 36% stated there is “no improvement/ same as 3G/4G”; 1% of respondents stated, “somewhat slower” and 3% stated “significantly slower”. To sum up, 60% smartphone users surveyed who have migrated to 5G say the data connection is faster as compared to the 3G/4G data connection.

Percentage of smartphone users who have migrated to 5G services and say the data connection is faster rose from 49% in 2023 to 60% in 2024

Comparison with last year data shows that while the percentage of smartphone users who have migrated to 5G services and say the data connection is faster has risen from 49% in 2023 to 60% in 2024, those who feel the data connection is “significantly faster” has dipped from 22% last year to 18% currently while those who feel it is “somewhat faster” has risen from 27% to 42% in the same period.

In summary, the survey shows that smartphone users are migrating to 5G services which promise better call quality, less call drops and better data/internet connection. This is borne out by the fact that 54% smartphone users surveyed have migrated to 5G services. Of those who have migrated, 1 in 2 say its working well. Further, 53% smartphone users surveyed who have migrated to 5G say the call drop/connect situation has improved post migrating from 3G/4G to 5G services. In addition, 60% of smartphone users surveyed say the 5G data connection is faster as compared to the 3G/4G data connection they previously had. However, the survey also points to the fact that there is still 25% smartphone users who are not happy with their 5G connections and haven’t received the perceived benefits. The telecom authorities and service providers need to understand the issues of this 25% 5G subscriber base and manage expectations more effectively along with making any necessary changes that will improve the 5G experience. LocalCircles will escalate the findings of the study with Department of Telecommunications and TRAI for their interventions.

Survey Demographics

The survey received over 47,000 responses from consumers (smartphone users) located in 361 districts of India. 67% respondents were men while 33% respondents were women. 44% respondents were from tier 1, 33% from tier 2 and 23% respondents were from tier 3, 4 and rural districts. The survey was conducted via LocalCircles platform, and all participants were validated citizens who had to be registered with LocalCircles to participate in this survey.