90% of Indian smartphone users want to upgrade to 5G as per Ookla

The four companies that took part in the 5G auction in India were Reliance Jio Infocomm (Jio), Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea (Vi), and infrastructure provider Adani Group. They purchased spectrum in the 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 3300 MHz, and 26 GHz frequency bands for a combined sum of Rs 1.5 trillion (US$ 19 billion).

Operators are vying to launch 5G early now that they have 5G spectrum. Some have already made suggestions that 5G installations may begin soon. 2,000 smartphone users from both urban and rural areas of India who are 18 years of age or older are included in the Ookla Consumer Survey. Let's look at the article to learn more about what Indian consumers can anticipate from 5G.

Customers are eager for gaming and streaming video:

If mobile internet connections were improved, 70% of respondents said they would stream more video and 68% would play more mobile games. The 26 GHz (mmWave) band is advantageous for streaming and gaming because of its high throughput. Additionally, it will improve stadium capacity. High network speeds have less of an impact on esports, mobile payments, and online shopping.

Consumers want faster speeds:

• Greater speeds, according to 42%, would enhance the current service. Operators will be assisted in doing so by holdings in the C-band.
• In contrast to Vodafone, who only purchased in their priority areas, Airtel and Jio purchased C-band spectrum throughout all 22 telecom circles at auction. Faster, lower-latency, and greener 5G services are made possible by contiguous spectrum.
• 21% want more indoor coverage, while 24% want a more reliable connection. Only one in ten respondents emphasized the need for better outside coverage.

Ookla claims there were some benefits to the 5G auction delay in India. Nearly half of respondents, according to its Consumer Survey, have a 5G-capable phone. Operators now have a customer base on which they may immediately concentrate.

A little over 89% of respondents believe they'll upgrade to 5G, while 2% say they won't. When 5G becomes available in their area, over half of respondents (48%) said they'll upgrade and, if necessary, switch service providers. 20% of customers will switch when their current carrier begins to provide 5G; 14% of customers who have 5G-capable phones will switch; and 7%of customers will switch when their contract expires.

People who are unsure of the new technology will watch to see how well-liked it becomes. While Airtel plans to roll out 5G in major cities beginning in August, Jio aims to launch it across all of India on August 15, the nation's Independence Day.

The cost of 5G is the primary deterrent to upgrading, according to the analysis of the Ookla. The 5G tariff charges, according to 25% of those who don't plan to upgrade, are too high. 23% of people without 5G-capable smartphones and 24% of those who don't plan to transition to 5G blame their lack of knowledge of the technology. Only 1.4% of respondents said they would not upgrade to 5G because they were satisfied with their present network.