5G

India’s smartphone market registered an 8% year-on-year growth in the second quarter of 2025, fueled by rising demand for 5G-enabled devices, competitive pricing across mid-tier segments, and a robust rebound in offline retail. The quarter saw heightened consumer interest in premium models, particularly those offering advanced AI features, improved battery life, and enhanced camera systems. With manufacturers expanding local production and leveraging aggressive promotional campaigns, the sector demonstrated resilience amid global economic uncertainty.

India’s digital ecosystem is experiencing a transformative boom, driven largely by the widespread adoption of Android smartphones and the deep market penetration of the Google Play Store. Together, they have catalyzed the growth of a vibrant app economy, enabling Indian developers to scale globally while empowering consumers with access to a diverse array of applications. From education and health to entertainment and fintech, apps are shaping daily life and entrepreneurship across the country.

India’s telecom sector finds itself at a delicate crossroads as recent tariff hikes by leading operators fail to produce the anticipated uplift in revenue, casting uncertainty over the pace of investment recovery. The industry, which has collectively spent thousands of crores on 4G expansion and fresh 5G rollouts, now faces mounting risks of slipping back into a damaging price war.

Ericsson India reported a sharp 32.5% decline in sales for the second quarter of 2025, reflecting muted demand for network equipment and delayed 5G infrastructure investments across the country. The telecom gear maker’s revenue dropped to Rs. 1,768 crore during the quarter, weighed down by slower-than-expected operator spending and intensified pricing pressures. While the company continues to leverage its global scale and technical expertise, near-term headwinds in India’s telecom sector, including cautious capital outlays by key players, have impacted its growth trajectory.

India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has initiated a fresh review of spectrum demand for Captive Non-Public Networks (CNPNs), also known as private 5G networks. This marks the second demand survey since provisions for CNPNs were introduced in mid-2022. With enterprise adoption still in its early stages, and telecom operators opposing direct spectrum allocation to private entities, the DoT aims to identify viable frequency bands better aligned with global device ecosystems. Stakeholders, including companies with a net worth above Rs.

India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has initiated a fresh evaluation of spectrum demand for captive non-public networks (CNPNs), commonly referred to as private 5G networks. This reassessment comes amid limited adoption and pushback from telecom operators who oppose direct spectrum allocation to enterprises. The DoT aims to identify more viable frequency bands and bolster the technology ecosystem. As industrial interest grows, particularly among system integrators, the government is seeking input from high-net-worth enterprises by July 31.

Vodafone Idea (Vi), despite its significant debt burden, has ambitiously expanded its 5G footprint to 23 additional cities across India, including key state capitals like Jaipur, Kolkata, and Lucknow. Building on its initial 5G launch in five major metros, the telecom operator now offers next-generation connectivity to a wider audience. Concurrently, Vi is enhancing its 4G infrastructure by deploying spectrum across multiple bands, resulting in improved data capacity and speed.

The Indian government has approved nearly Rs. 500 crore under the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) for 120 cutting-edge R&D projects spanning 5G, 6G, quantum technologies, and indigenous chipsets. Union Minister Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, following a detailed review, underscored the need for measurable outcomes and proposed reforms to streamline the fund's implementation. With Rs.

India’s 5G revolution is accelerating at an unprecedented pace, with the subscriber base projected to grow over threefold to approximately 980 million by 2030, according to the latest Ericsson Mobility Report. As 5G adoption rises, 4G usage is expected to decline by nearly 60%, dropping to 230 million users. The report underscores India’s leadership in global mobile data consumption, with average smartphone data usage currently at 32 GB per month—the highest worldwide. With this figure projected to double by 2030, the demand for a robust 5G infrastructure has never been greater.