Despite the increase in tariffs in the new year, 5G smartphone sales will be higher than 4G. During the April-June quarter, more than 100 million 5G phones are expected to be sold in the country. According to research agency Counterpoint, by the end of 2023, 5G handsets will be sold more than 4G smartphones.
5G services were launched in November 2022. Since then the network has been expanding rapidly. Although 5G smartphones are being sold since 2020 itself. But Counterpoint estimates that in 2022, the sale of such phones will reach 80 million, increasing by 81% compared to last year. The reason for this is the availability of cheap 5G phones in the market. The share of 5G phones under Rs 20,000 in total sales is expected to increase from 16% in 2021 to 31%.
According to a report, Reliance chief Mukesh Ambani may spend Rs 1.12 lakh crore on 5G network during 2023. Bharti Airtel will also spend 27-28 thousand crores. According to industry sources, telecom companies will increase tariffs to upgrade 5G and control operating costs. Bharti Airtel has increased the tariff of entry level pre-paid plans by up to 57% in Haryana and Odisha. Reliance Jio can also increase the tariff by more than 10%.
Companies are also bringing entry-level 5G smartphones in the Indian market in the Rs 10,000 range. However, due to problems like component shortage, geopolitical instability and inflation, the sales growth in this segment is expected to be low.
Counterpoint analyst Shilpi Jain said, 'Sales of 5G phones in India have increased by 81% this year. Next year this growth is expected to be 62%. By the end of 2023, the share of 5G handsets in the total sales of smartphones in the Indian market will exceed 54%.
