5G connection to reach 3.5 billion globally, 350 million in India by 2026: Report

New Delhi: Swedish telecom equipment maker Ericsson said India will have 350 million 5G users by 2026, accounting for 27% of the country’s mobile subscriptions. Its report projected that four of every 10 mobile subscriptions globally will be 5G in 2026.

However, 4G LTE will continue to dominate in India, accounting for 63% of mobile subscriptions six years from now. Broadband accounted for 67% of mobile subscriptions in 2020 and this figure is predicted to reach 91%, including 5G users, by 2026, when the total number of mobile broadband subscriptions is set to reach almost 1.2 billion, Ericsson said.

Estimates come as the government prepares to auction 4G airwaves in early 2021 and follow up with sale of 5G airwaves later next year.