Ericsson’s November 2023 Mobility Report anticipates a meteoric rise in 5G subscription globally and projects 5.3 billion subscriptions by 2029. This report puts a spotlight on key use cases, regional trends, and the remarkable resilience of 5G growth, despite economic challenges and uncertainties. Notably, Southeast Asia and Oceania are poised to play a pivotal role in this transformative wave of connectivity.
In a paradigm-shifting analysis, Ericsson’s Mobility Report unveils the growth trajectory of 5G and accentuates its transformative impact on mobile connectivity. The report examines the detailed dynamics of 5G adoption, providing insights into how high-performance connectivity is poised to reshape the global dynamics in the foreseeable future.
The report highlights the following key use cases and global projections.
Key Use Cases
- Enhanced Mobile Broadband
- Fixed Wireless Access
- Gaming
- AR/VR-based Services
Table of Contents
Global Projections
The report predicts a substantial increase in 5G subscriptions globally, reaching around 5.3 billion by the end of 2029. Notably, Southeast Asia and Oceania are expected to contribute significantly, with an estimated 550 million subscriptions in the same timeframe.
Regional Mobile Data Trends
In Southeast Asia and Oceania, mobile data traffic per smartphone is on a robust growth trajectory. Projections indicate an increase from 24GB per month in 2023 to an impressive 66GB per month in 2029, representing a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 19 percent.
Global 5G Coverage
By the end of 2029, the report suggests that approximately 85 percent of the global population will have access to 5G coverage, indicating a widespread adoption and deployment of 5G networks worldwide.
Resilience of 5G Growth
Despite economic challenges and geopolitical unrest in certain markets, Ericsson estimates that nearly one-fifth of all global mobile subscriptions will be 5G subscriptions by the close of 2023, underscoring the continued growth of 5G adoption.
Extended Statistical Forecast Timeline
This twenty-fifth edition of the report introduces an extended statistical forecast timeline, now reaching up to 2029. This extension allows for a more comprehensive analysis of future trends in the 5G domain.
Wireless Connectivity for Manufacturing
The report further explores the role of 5G in wireless connectivity for the manufacturing industry. It emphasizes how 5G has become a key determinant of production output, enabling the agility required to support rapid changes and reallocation of resources.
Insights from Ericsson Executives
Fredrik Jejdling, Executive Vice President and Head of Networks, Ericsson
Mr. Jejdling notes significant growth, with over 600 million 5G subscriptions added globally in the current year. He highlights the ongoing deployment of 5G standalone networks, presenting new opportunities for advanced applications in both consumer and enterprise domains.
Peter Jonsson, Executive Editor, Ericsson Mobility Report, Ericsson
Mr. Jonsson emphasizes the strong demand for high-performance connectivity evident in the rising number of 5G subscriptions globally. He anticipates an acceleration in data growth as global consumers increasingly embrace 5G and new use cases emerge.
Conclusion
All in all, the Ericsson Mobility Report provides a comprehensive overview of the current state and future projections of 5G adoption globally. The report’s detailed insights into key use cases, regional trends, and extended forecasts contribute to a better understanding of the evolving landscape of mobile connectivity. As 5G continues to advance, the report underlines the importance of addressing coverage gaps to ensure a comprehensive 5G experience for consumers in all locations.
