Unlocking 5G: Bridging the monetisation gap
The 5G rollout is accelerating faster than the cash it is supposed to generate. Global 5G connections crossed the 2-billion mark at the end of 2024, almost a third of all mobile links. India mirrors that velocity, crossing ~250 million 5G users in March 2025, barely sixteen months after nationwide launches. Yet, the revenue curve remains stubbornly flat. Unlimited data bundles hold average revenue per user (ARPU) down even as operators pour capital into spectrum, densification and edge-cloud.
The monetisation opportunity now lies in focusing on experience and outcomes for retail consumers, mid-market enterprises and industries.
