Indian Telecom Majors Like Jio, Airtel Surpass Chinese Telecom’s Growth

The growth of Indian telecom majors like Jio and Airtel India has surpassed the growth rate of Chinese telecom operator, driven by the faster adoption of 5G in India, suggested a recent data by the Tefficient, a consulting and research company that focuses telecommunication sector. 

Additionally, Reliance Jio regained its dominance as the top mobile data provider globally for the third consecutive quarter, showcasing impressive year-on-year (YoY) growth that surpasses its international rivals, revealed Tefficient. 

According to the study by Swedish consulting and research company, “the growth has collapsed at China Mobile in 2024, allowing Jio to steal the position as the world’s largest mobile data carrier. 5G is a catalyst for growth for Jio and Airtel India but the 5G effect on China’s traffic seems less obvious.” 

The study revealed that China Mobile’s incremental mobile data traffic year-on-year in the first three quarters of 2024 remained less than 2000 Petabytes (PB) as compared to Reliance Jio’s more than 80000 PB. The leading telecom companies of both countries are giving cut-throat competition to each other. 

“The growth has collapsed at China Mobile in 2024, allowing Jio to steal the position as the world’s largest mobile data carrier. 5G is a catalyst for growth for Jio and Airtel India- but the 5G effect...,” said Tefficient in a post on X on October 29. 

China launched 5G in the third quarter of 2019, whereas India did it in October 2022. Despite China being ahead of India in introducing 5G, the Indian telecom giant has surpassed the growth of the Chinese competitor in recent times. Indian telecom giant Jio is capturing the market. The market expansion by Jio is also hinting at its global dominance as the world’s largest mobile data carrier. 

India’s growing 5G subscriber base, a major reason behind India outpacing China 

According to an Ericsson Mobility Report published in November 2023, within just 14 months after the commercial launch of 5G in India, the 5G penetration has a share 11 per cent mobile connectivity in India. The report also predicted that India’s 5G subscription will increase from 130 million in 2023 to 860 million by 2029. 

“Ericsson together with our partners has enabled one of the fastest 5G network deployment across the world and today we are seeing strong 5G adoption in the country,” said Nitin Bansal, Head of Ericsson India, in a press release. 

Although 4G remains a dominant subscription driving connectivity in India, as subscribers migrate to 5G, 4G subscriptions are likely to decrease from 870 million in 2023 to 390 million in 2029, thereby paving path to better and faster 5G adoption. 

But it’s not just the telecom companies that are driving India’s 5G technology race; the Indian government has been infusing funds to build a 5G infrastructure in the country. 

“Within a span of 14-month, 4.15 Lakh 5G sites are providing connectivity across 742 districts. This is the fastest roll-out of 5G anywhere in the world,” said the ministry of communications in a statement. 

Moreover, the government sanctioned 100 5G labs across the country to develop technologies with an outlay of approx Rs 100 crore.