9DECEMBER 2025TATA CHEMICALS ROLLS OUT 910 CRORE PLAN TO EXPAND CAPACITYAccording to the latest Ericsson Mobility Report released on Thursday, India is predicted to reach 1 billion 5G subscriptions by the end of 2031, propelled by low-cost 5G devices and increasing network availability, despite the fact that it currently holds the highest mobile data usage per smartphone globally.The report states that by the conclusion of 2025, India is projected to have 394 million 5G subscriptions, accounting for 32 percent of the nation's total mobile connections.India's monthly mobile data usage per active smartphone is currently 36 GB--the highest in the world--and is projected to increase to 65 GB per month Tata Chemicals has green-lit a major 910 crore investment to scale up production at its key manufacturing units in India.According to a regulatory filing, the company's board has approved 135 crore for expanding dense soda ash capacity at its Mithapur plant in Gujarat, and another 775 crore for boosting precipitated silica output at its Cuddalore facility in Tamil Nadu.by 2031. Nitin Bansal, Managing Director, Ericsson India, pointed out that 5G has emerged as the foundation of digital transformation across the nation.He stated, "The presence of cost-effective 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) customer equipment and elevated data usage by FWA users are driving a surge in data traffic." FWA, providing wireless broadband access to residences and businesses, is becoming a significant 5G application in India.Worldwide, 5G subscriptions are expected to hit 6.4 billion by 2031, representing two-thirds of total mobile subscriptions. Out of these, 4.1 billion are anticipated to be connected to 5G Standalone (SA) networks, which function independently of existing 4G infrastructure and offer advanced capabilities like network slicing. In the meantime, global 6G subscriptions are projected to hit 180 million by 2031. The Ericsson report further emphasizes that by the end of 2025, 5G networks are expected to manage 43 percent of global mobile data traffic, an increase from 34 percent the previous year.This share is projected to increase to 83 percent by 2031. By 2031, Fixed Wireless Access broadband is projected to serve 1.4 billion users worldwide, with 90 percent of these users utilizing 5G technology. From an industry-perspective, this move underscores Tata Chemicals' push to deepen its footprint in both basic and specialty chemical segments. By enhancing soda ash capacities and scaling up silica production, the company is catering to rising demand in sectors like detergents, glass, and high-performance applications. The large outlay also signals strong confidence in long-term demand.In terms of scale, the expansion at Mithapur aims to add about 350 kt per annum of dense soda ash capacity over the next 24 months, taking its existing run-rate of ~1,091 kt higher. At Cuddalore, the plan is to raise precipitated silica capacity by 50 kt annually, building on the current base of around 13.8 kt within 27 months.On the market front, the announcement came shortly after markets had closed on Friday. Tata Chemicals' share price reacted negatively, closing down 1.09% at 809.95 on the BSE that day.This capex push fits into Tata Chemicals' broader strategy: strengthening foundational capacities while simultaneously ramping up high-value speciality chemicals. As the company invests in expansion, it not only supports its core business but also gears up for future growth opportunities in specialty arenas. INDIA MAY HIT 1 BILLION 5G CONNECTIONS BY 2031: ERICSSON INDIA MD
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