Study Reveals Improved 5G Availability and Speeds in India, Yet Customer Satisfaction Remains Low

Summary

• In Q4 2023, India ranked 14th globally in 5G speeds, achieving an average speed of 301.86 Mbps.
• Throughout 2023, 5G availability in India experienced a substantial surge from 28.1% in Q1 to 52.0% by Q4.
• 5G smartphone shipments in India exceeded 52% throughout the year, indicating a notable adoption of 5G-enabled devices in the market.

According to Ookla's latest report on 5G experience and adoption in India, the country has made significant strides in the realm of 5G. In Q4 2023, India ranked 14th globally in median download speeds, achieving an impressive 301.86 Mbps. Moreover, India witnessed a remarkable increase in overall 5G availability throughout 2023, soaring from 28.1% in Q1 to a substantial 52.0% in Q4, marking a notable 23.9 percentage point surge within a single year. However, despite these advancements, customer satisfaction with 5G services seems to be declining, with reasons potentially related to performance, customer care, pricing, or quality of service.

India's rapid rollout of 5G infrastructure has been noteworthy. By the end of December 2023, the country had deployed over four hundred thousand 5G base stations, representing a significant 7.7-fold increase from January 2023. This rapid deployment has positioned India among the fastest nations globally in rolling out 5G infrastructure. Additionally, Ericsson forecasts that the number of 5G subscribers in India surged to 130 million by the end of December 2023, a substantial jump from slightly over 10 million recorded at the end of 2022.

Major players like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel have played crucial roles in driving 5G improvements in India. Reliance Jio, in particular, has demonstrated impressive leadership, boasting a 5G availability rate of 68.8% during Q4 2023, surpassing Airtel's 30.4% by a significant margin of 38.5 percentage points.

The impact of 5G technology on video streaming and mobile gaming in India has been notable. Both Reliance Jio and Airtel's 5G networks have significantly improved video start times and reduced buffering. Mobile gamers have also experienced notable reductions in median latency, showcasing the tangible benefits of India's advancing 5G infrastructure.

The increasing availability of 5G-enabled smartphones in India has played a pivotal role in driving the expansion of 5G technology. Reports indicate that the share of 5G smartphone shipments in India exceeded 52% in 2023, marking robust year-on-year growth.

Despite the progress in 5G adoption and availability, consumer sentiment towards 5G seems to be declining. Factors contributing to customer dissatisfaction may include network performance, customer care, pricing, and quality of service. Notably, while 5G availability has improved, challenges such as network drops in crowded areas or during traffic remain prevalent.