India Becomes World's 2nd Largest 5G Market with Over 400 Million Users

India has cemented its position as the world's second-largest 5G market, with a subscriber base exceeding 400 million users. The technology, launched in 2022, now covers 85% of the population with nearly 4.7 lakh Base Transceiver Stations installed nationwide. Remarkable growth has been seen in rural connectivity, with telephone connections surging by 42.9%. In a major stride for self-reliance, India developed its own indigenous 4G stack, upgradable to 5G, in just two years.

Key Points: India is 2nd Largest 5G User Globally, Says Scindia

  • Over 400 million 5G users in India
  • 5G now covers 85% of the population
  • Rural telephone connections grew by 42.9%
  • India developed its own 4G/5G stack in 2 years
2 min read

India is now the 2nd largest 5G user with 400 million+ users globally, says Jyotiraditya Scindia

India has over 400 million 5G users, making it the world's second-largest market. The country is also rapidly expanding rural connectivity and indigenous tech.

"With over 400M+ 5G users, India today stands as the world's second-largest 5G subscriber base - Jyotiraditya Scindia"

New Delhi Januar, y 16

India has the 2nd largest 5G subscriber base, only second to China, and is among the fastest adopters of the technology in the world, says India's Union Minister of Communications, Jyotiraditya Scindia.

"With over 400M+ 5G users, India today stands as the world's second-largest 5G subscriber base and among the fastest adopters globally", stated Scindia in his X post on Friday.

He emphasised on how India is setting global benchmarks in scale, speed and digital transformation.

Since its launched in 2022, 5G services are now available across the country with a major base of 99.6% and with a population coverage of 85% in the country. As of March 2025, 4.69 lakhs 5G Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) have been installed by the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) across the country which is one of the fastest rollout of 5G network, as per the data released by Ministry of Communications in December 2025.

The ministry also stated that since the launch of 5G, around 25 crores mobile users have started using the 5G services and 4.69 lakhs 5G BTSs have been installed across the country.

Talking about remote area connectivity, the ministry pointed out that rural telephone connections grew 42.9%; nearly double of urban increase, rising from 377.78 million in March 2014 to 539.83 million in September 2025.

India's internet connections crossed the milestone of 100 crores to reach 100.29 crores, as against 25.15 crores in March 2014, registering growth of 298.77%, the ministry stated.

In line with the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, the large-scale rollout of home-grown network infrastructure also gained significant momentum. "India became only the 5th country in the world to have its own 4G stack, upgradable to 5G, demonstrating India's commitment to technological self-sufficiency," said the ministry.

"While it took decades to develop such technology in other parts of the world, it took just 2 years to develop such technology. Coupled with this, major strides were achieved in advancing indigenous 6G research and development under the ambitious Bharat 6G Mission," the ministry added.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
Great news, but the real test is the quality of service and affordability. In my area, the 5G signal is very patchy and drains the battery fast. Hope the focus now shifts from just numbers to consistent, reliable connectivity for all these 400 million users.
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Rohit P
The indigenous 4G/5G stack development in just 2 years is the real headline here. Atmanirbhar Bharat in action! This reduces our dependency on foreign tech and is a massive strategic win. Kudos to all the engineers and scientists involved.
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Sarah B
As someone who travels frequently between metros and smaller towns, I've noticed the improvement. Video calls with family back in the village are much clearer now. The rural telephony growth of 42.9% is a silent revolution.
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Vikram M
Impressive numbers, no doubt. But we need to ask: are we just consuming technology or also creating value with it? We need more Indian apps and services that leverage this 5G infrastructure to solve our local problems. The network is the first step.
K
Kavya N
From 25 crores internet connections in 2014 to over 100 crores now! That's the story of a connected India. My parents in their 60s are now doing UPI payments and video calls because of this reach. Technology for all is becoming a reality. 👏
M

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