The gap between these two metrics reveals how effectively operators convert theoretical access into practical, sustained usage. A small gap suggests that users can stay on 5G during everyday activity; a large gap points to frequent fallback to 4G during active sessions, even when 5G coverage exists.

Reliance Jio: Standalone efficiency

Jio converts availability into usage almost one-to-one, with 67.3% Time on 5G versus 68.1% 5G Availability. Its Standalone (SA) architecture, combined with 700 MHz spectrum for deep indoor penetration, enables devices to remain on 5G throughout active data sessions – translating coverage directly into experience.

Bharti Airtel: Non-Standalone trade-offs:

Airtel matches Jio’s reach, with 66.6% Availability, but users spend only 28.0% of their time on 5G. This reflects characteristics of its Non-Standalone (NSA) deployment, where 5G relies on a 4G anchor for control signaling. While NSA has enabled faster nationwide rollout and earlier access to 5G services, it can also lead to more frequent handovers back to 4G during mobility or sustained data use.

Vodafone Idea: Early-stage rollout:

 Vi records 32.5% Availability and 9.7% Time on 5G, consistent with a network still in the early phases of deployment rather than indicating inherent performance limitations.  These gaps underline why operators are increasingly focusing on densification, including the deployment of small cells and street-level infrastructure, to improve indoor coverage and reduce reliance on 4G offload.

5G adoption and financial momentum:

As the “free 5G” era fades, India’s top-tier telcos are refining their monetization playbooks. We are seeing a clear divergence in how the “Big Two” approach the market:

• Reliance Jio’s scale play: Jio continues to lead in sheer volume, projected to approach 300 million 5G subscribers by FY26. Their strategy is one of deep vertical integration bundling 5G with AI-driven services and “Cloud Phones.” This approach lowers the hardware barrier to entry while increasing “stickiness” within the Jio digital ecosystem.
• Airtel’s Quality Focus: Bharti Airtel maintains higher ARPU of ₹256 (US$2.8) compared to Jio’s ₹211.4 ($2.3). Their focus remains on high-value customers and long-term network resilience. Its acquisition of 400 MHz of spectrum from Adani Data Networks in the 26GHz signals clear intent to lead on capacity and performance, particularly in urban hotspots and industrial corridors.

FWA: The New Revenue Frontier:

One of the most consequential developments of 2025 has been the rapid rise of 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA). For years, fibre expansion in India was constrained by Right-of-Way challenges and high deployment costs. 5G FWA has effectively bypassed these barriers. Our data also shows that FWA offers a comparable experience to fixed line in India.

By October 2025, the total 5G FWA base – including Unlicensed Band Radio (UBR) – reached 13.18 million subscribers. Reliance Jio dominates this segment, with 10.2 million AirFiber subscribers, around four times Airtel’s 2.5 million base. A meaningful share of Jio’s growth comes from its UBR-specific offering, which alone accounts for 2.8 million subscribers.

UBR allows operators to deliver last-mile broadband using unlicensed spectrum (typically in the 5 GHz band), while relying on licensed spectrum for backhaul and control. In practice, this hybrid approach lowers deployment costs, accelerates rollouts, and reduces pressure on licensed 5G spectrum.

FWA users were consuming more than 12 times the data of mobile users last year in India – a high value service to consumers that enabled operators to monetise 5G through higher-value, tiered broadband plans and digital home bundles. This marks India’s first successful non-mobile 5G monetisation use case at scale, particularly in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.

BSNL’s “Made in Bharat” Entry:

Looking ahead to 2026, BSNL’s planned 5G launch introduces a distinct strategic dimension. Using an entirely indigenous telecom stack developed by C-DOT and TCS, BSNL’s rollout aligns closely with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat ambitions.

 This not only bolsters India’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative but also positions the country as a global exporter of cost-effective, end-to-end telecom solutions. BSNL has already commissioned nearly 98,000 indigenous 4G towers that are 5G-convertible, aiming for a full 5G switch shortly after.

Looking Ahead:

As investor scrutiny intensifies ahead of Jio’s anticipated IPO, the metric for success has fundamentally changed. The market is no longer asking who rolled out the fastest; it is asking who can maintain quality as data consumption nears a staggering 40 GB per user per month.

With  sub-₹10,000($112)5G smartphones accelerating adoption, network stress will only increase. The next phase of India’s digital journey will be won by operators that can balance scale with consistency, and deliver a 5G experience that remains reliably “good enough” for everyday life.

How Opensignal measures real-world 5G experience:

Opensignal’s insights are based on billions of measurements collected from real users’ devices. Our metrics reflect how consumers actually experience mobile networks in everyday conditions, rather than theoretical network capability.

• 5G Availability measures the proportion of time users with a 5G device and subscription detect a 5G signal.
• Time on 5G measures the proportion of time those users are actively connected to a 5G network bearer.
• Consistent Quality assesses how often the network is “good enough” for common activities such as streaming video, video calls, and web browsing.

By combining these metrics, Opensignal captures both access to 5G and actual usage of 5G, providing a holistic view of real-world network performance.

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5G Market Status in India:

• Rapid Adoption: India has one of the fastest 5G network rollouts globally, with coverage in virtually all districts.
• Focus Shift: The competitive metric has moved from simply who launched first to delivering consistent network quality and user experience as data consumption soars (average use reached 36 GB/month).
• FWA Growth: 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) is a significant growth area, with over 13 million subscribers, primarily driven by Jio’s AirFiber service.