The digital landscape in India is witnessing a massive transformation as smartphone and iPad users spend hours scrolling through screens, streaming videos, and engaging on social media. This surge in activity has pushed internet consumption to unprecedented levels across the country. According to the latest circle-wise data usage statistics, Bihar has emerged as the leader in internet consumption, surpassing all other states. This indicates that Bihar has taken the top spot in the country for watching reels and consuming digital content. Interestingly, the latest data from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) reveals that Bihar has the lowest tele-density in the country, which is the ratio of phone connections to the population. Despite this, the state leads in daily data consumption, suggesting that those with internet access are using it extensively, particularly for viewing reels.
State-wise Data Consumption Rankings
1 petabytes of data every single day. To put this into perspective, this is equivalent to about 5 crore 14 lakh GB of data. 7 petabytes. 31 petabytes of daily data usage. 3 petabytes. These figures highlight a nationwide trend of high data dependency, with Bihar leading the charge despite its lower overall connectivity ratio.
Platforms Dominating Data Usage
YouTube remains the primary choice for internet users across the country. 3 percent of the total data consumption, meaning nearly a quarter of the data spent on the internet goes toward watching videos on YouTube. 7 percent share, largely driven by the popularity of reels. 5 percent of the data share. 5 percent to the total data consumption. These statistics clearly indicate that entertainment and social media are the primary drivers of internet usage in India.
Primary Reasons for High Data Consumption
There are three major reasons identified for this high level of data expenditure. First is video streaming, where apps like YouTube and OTT platforms like Netflix consume the most data. Second is social media engagement, specifically on Instagram and Facebook, where viewing reels and photos continuously consumes megabytes. Third is downloading and auto-updates; downloading large files or leaving apps on auto-update mode leads to rapid data depletion. These factors combined are responsible for the massive daily petabyte figures seen in states like Bihar and Maharashtra.
Future Projections and Monthly Usage Trends
According to the Ericsson Mobility Report from June 2026, an average smartphone user in India currently consumes 37 GB of data per month. This figure is projected to rise Importantly, reaching 70 GB per month within the next five years. 1 billion by 2031, representing a subscription penetration of about 81 percent. By the end of 2025, 5G subscriptions were at 43 crore, accounting for 35 percent of total mobile subscriptions. Conversely, 4G subscribers are expected to decrease from approximately 57 crore in 2025 to about 16 crore by 2031 as users rapidly shift toward 5G technology.
TRAI Data and Mobile Number Portability
The latest figures from TRAI reflect this shift. 48 million. 21 million in July. 98 million users applied for Mobile Number Portability (MNP). This indicates that users are constantly switching service providers in search of better network quality and data facilities. The data clearly points out that the internet in India is no longer just a tool for connectivity but is being driven by entertainment and social media. With the expansion of 5G, data consumption is expected to grow even faster in the coming years, further strengthening the dominance of platforms like YouTube and Instagram.