India Becomes World’s 2nd Largest 5G Market With 400 Million Users

India has emerged as the world’s second-largest 5G market , with Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia stating that the country now has 400 million+ 5G users , second only to China. In a post on X, Scindia said India is setting global benchmarks in scale and speed, underlining how the rapid rollout reflects the country’s accelerating digital transformation.

Since the launch of 5G services in October 2022 , India has witnessed one of the fastest network expansions globally . According to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), 5G is now available in 99.6% of districts , with population coverage at around 85% . The infrastructure push has been massive, with 4.69 lakh 5G Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) installed across the country by telecom service providers.

Industry estimates indicate adoption has surged sharply in the past year, climbing from about 365 million 5G subscribers in July 2025 to crossing the 400 million mark by January 2026 , largely driven by aggressive rollout strategies of leading operators and rising 5G handset penetration. Telecom watchers also note that India’s low-cost, high-volume telecom model is becoming a global reference point for emerging markets.

Beyond urban centres, the ministry highlighted that connectivity growth is increasingly rural-led. Rural telephone connections grew by 42.9% , rising from 377.78 million in March 2014 to 539.83 million in September 2025 , nearly double the pace of urban growth. At the same time, the country’s internet base crossed a historic milestone, with internet connections reaching 100.29 crore , compared to 25.15 crore in March 2014 an increase of nearly 299% .

The government also linked the telecom push to the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, citing momentum in indigenous technology development. India has become only the fifth country in the world with a home-grown 4G stack , which is upgradable to 5G, strengthening technological self-reliance. In parallel, India is pushing long-term leadership in next-generation communications through the Bharat 6G Mission , aimed at advancing domestic research, innovation and global standard-setting.