31 Million Indian Users May Upgrade To 5G Phones By December: Report

India has a remarkable 13 per cent higher share of "very satisfied" 5G users compared to the early adopter market average.

5G performance in important locations significantly influences user satisfaction and switching decisions: Ericsson.

In what may be a vast opportunity for further 5G adoption in the country, 31 million users could upgrade to 5G phones in 2023, said a report by networking and telecommunications giant Ericsson on Tuesday. Ericsson's report titled "5G value: Turning performance into loyalty" was carried out by Ericsson ConsumerLab and it explores what drives 5G network satisfaction and user retention. On average 5G users spend two hours more per week, using services like streaming HD video, video calling services, mobile gaming and augmented reality (AR) when compared to their counterparts in other early adopters of 5G such as the US, the UK, South Korea, China and others.

Moreover, India's 5G satisfaction levels and perceived 5G availability match or surpass those in early adopter markets. India has a remarkable 13 per cent higher share of "very satisfied" 5G users compared to the early adopter market average. Overall satisfaction increases by a substantial 30 per cent when transitioning from 4G to 5G, with higher download speeds playing a key role in driving this satisfaction.

The Ericsson survey further highlights that 5G performance in important locations significantly influences user satisfaction and switching decisions. Users experiencing connectivity issues at event venues are three times more likely to consider changing service providers in the next six months. Conversely, a positive 5G experience at key locations, such as in transit or at home, can boost satisfaction by four times.

"About 39 per cent of 5G consumers polled believed that increased data allowances in their 5G plans would justify premium rate charges from CSPs," Jasmeet Singh Sethi, Head of Ericsson Consumer Lab, said in a statement.

“Interestingly, about 24 per cent of 5G consumers polled express a clear preference for differentiated Quality of service (QoS) over 5G. Rather than settling for generic, best-effort 5G performance, these users are actively seeking elevated and consistent network performance, specially tailored for demanding applications and specific key locations. The research shows that one in five smartphone users are willing to pay an average premium of 14 per cent for 5G rich app bundled plans or QoS-led offerings," Sethi added.

Meanwhile, Reliance Jio has the fastest overall and 5G download speeds across all ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 stadiums, while Airtel enjoys the fastest upload speeds, says a recent report by network analysis firm Opensignal. The report published ahead of the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup 2023 also said Vodafone Idea (VI) leads in experience with over-the-top (OTT) voice services — mobile voice apps such as WhatsApp, Skype, and Facebook Messenger.