⚡ Quick Answer: How Much Does 1 GB of Mobile Data Cost in India?
According to TRAI QPIR data for the quarter ending June 30, 2026, the average telecom operator revenue per GB of wireless data in India dropped to ₹7.13 per GB, reflecting a 16.22% decline from ₹8.51 per GB in June 2025. Concurrently, average monthly mobile data consumption reached 28.39 GB per subscriber, marking a +6.33% increase over the previous year.
India continues to maintain its global reputation for highly affordable cellular broadband. Carrier network upgrades and 5G spectrum deployments have reduced transmission costs per gigabyte, allowing users to consume unprecedented volumes of data at affordable rates.
As noted in our India Internet Users 2026: TRAI Data Analysis, operator revenue per GB is an audited wholesale metric: total wireless data revenue divided by total petabytes transmitted.
Data Pricing Deflation: ₹8.51 to ₹7.13 per GB
[My Calculation]: The per-unit data realization dropped from ₹8.51 in June 2025 to ₹7.13 in June 2026, representing a 16.22% price deflation:
$$\text{Deflation Rate} = \frac{7.13 – 8.51}{8.51} \times 100 = -16.22\%$$
This metric does not mean prepaid recharge prices dropped by 16%, but rather that consumers are extracting more total data volume per rupee spent.
Consumption Surge: Reaching 28.39 GB per User
Average monthly data usage expanded from 26.70 GB to 28.39 GB per user (+6.33% [My Calculation]). An Indian subscriber consumes roughly 0.95 GB of mobile data every day, driven by vertical reels (Instagram, YouTube Shorts), OTT live streaming, and 5G network adoption.
📊 5-Year Indian Cellular Data Pricing & Usage Evolution
| Reporting Period | Operator Rev / GB (₹) | Monthly Usage / User | Primary Network Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 2022 | ₹11.20 | 17.10 GB | Nationwide 4G LTE densification |
| June 2023 | ₹10.15 | 20.80 GB | Initial 5G commercial launches |
| June 2024 | ₹9.40 | 24.10 GB | Unlimited 5G introductory offers |
| June 2025 | ₹8.51 | 26.70 GB | Tier-2/3 5G handset penetration |
| June 2026 | ₹7.13 | 28.39 GB | 5G FWA & high-res vertical video |
Strategic Guidance for Digital Advertisers
- Shift Spend to Vertical Video: With users consuming nearly 1 GB daily, video ads deliver significantly stronger engagement than static graphics.
- Serve Uncompressed HD Creatives: Consumers on 5G expect 1080p playback without buffering.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the cost of 1 GB data in India in 2026?
According to TRAI, the average telecom operator realization per GB of wireless data in India is ₹7.13 per GB as of June 2026.
How many GB does an average Indian use per month?
An average mobile internet subscriber in India consumes 28.39 GB of wireless data per month.