India’s foray into the realm of 5G technology has showcased significant advancements, demonstrating stronger networks and an enhanced user experience compared to its 4G predecessor. According to a recent report by OpenSignal, India’s performance in terms of 5G availability, download speeds, and user experience has been noteworthy. The Global 5G Experience Report, based on data collected between March 1 and May 29, 2023, provides insights into the global landscape of 5G technology.
India’s 5G Journey India embarked on its 5G journey on October 1, 2022, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the next-generation technology at the India Mobile Congress. While 5G has been accessible in other countries for over four years, India’s recent introduction of 5G has already shown remarkable progress, as highlighted in OpenSignal’s Global 5G Experience Report published on June 30, 2023.
5G Availability One significant metric analyzed in the report is 5G availability, which indicates the strength of a country’s 5G infrastructure. South Korea and Puerto Rico emerged as global leaders, with 5G users in these markets being connected to an active 5G network for nearly half of their time.
India surpassed many advanced and mature markets, achieving an impressive 5G availability score of 29.9 percent. This achievement positions India as one of the fastest adopters of 5G technology worldwide.
5G Download Speeds Download speeds are a crucial aspect of 5G performance, and the report examined this metric as well. The analysis revealed that 5G networks offer significantly faster download speeds compared to their 4G counterparts.
In six markets, average 5G download speeds were over 10 times faster than 4G speeds: India (19.2x), Malaysia (14.4x), Sri Lanka (13.8x), Brazil (13.5x), Kuwait (10.8x), and Guatemala (10.4x). In most markets, users experienced 5G speeds that were three to six times faster than 4G.
India secured the 6th position globally with an average 5G download speed of 301.6 Mbps. However, as 5G adoption continues to grow, it is expected that speeds may decrease or stabilize at a lower level.
5G Video and Gaming Experience The report also examined the impact of 5G on user experience, specifically focusing on video and gaming. India exhibited a remarkable 23.4 percent improvement in video experience and an impressive 29.2 percent improvement in gaming experience when using 5G compared to 4G.
These findings positioned India in the second position globally for gaming experience improvement. Malaysia also performed well, ranking second in video uplift and third in gaming uplift using 5G.
OpenSignal’s report also highlighted other global markets with excellent 5G video experiences, including Singapore, Austria, and Sweden. In most other markets, the video experience was rated as very good. India achieved a commendable score of 73.9 percent in the 5G video experience segment and 79.3 percent in the 5G gaming experience segment.
5G Expansion in India As India’s 5G experience continues to evolve, telecom operators are actively working to expand its reach across the country. Bharti Airtel, for instance, has partnered with Taara to deploy wireless optical communication links, enabling connectivity in challenging terrains and remote areas.
By leveraging Taara’s high-speed, long-range technology, Airtel aims to bridge the digital divide and connect the unconnected, further enhancing the quality of the 5G experience in India.
India’s advancements in 5G availability, download speeds, and user experience indicate promising growth for the country’s telecom landscape. With ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure and extend 5G connectivity, India is poised to emerge as a leader in the global 5G arena. This progress will empower its citizens and drive digital transformation across various sectors, contributing to India’s overall development and technological advancement.
