As 5G networks complete their fourth year of commercial operation, the global 5G landscape continues to show “impressive” progress in many major markets, with 5G growth in North America in particular showing no signs of slowing down. , according to a study by mobile industry trade group 5G. Data from the Americas and Omdia show.
According to the study, as of the end of Q3 2023, the world will have added 537 million 5G connections, bringing the global total to 1.6 billion, representing a 71% increase over the past year. To do. 5G Americas said this growth trajectory suggests an optimistic outlook for the future of 5G deployment.
In fact, in a sign of the strength of growth, the study showed that as of December 14, 2023, the number of 5G networks deployed globally will rival 4G LTE deployments. . There are currently 296 commercial 5G networks around the world, 17 in North America and 32 in Latin America and the Caribbean, and this number is expected to grow by 2025, reflecting significant investment in 5G infrastructure around the world. It is expected to increase to 438 by 2020. In contrast, the company said there are 712 4G LTE networks deployed worldwide, 18 of which are in North America and 133 in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Overall, North America continues to be the leading region for 5G deployment, with 176 million connections as of Q3 2023. This means 22 million new connections were added in the past quarter, representing a quarter-on-quarter increase of 14%. This corresponds to a market share of 26% and a penetration rate of 46%, highlighting the region’s significant contribution to the advancement of 5G technology. 5G Americas further observed that some national carriers in the region have already deployed or are in the process of deploying 5G standalone networks.
While the region has seen encouraging progress, 5G adoption remains in its infancy in Latin America and the Caribbean. In the third quarter of 2023, LTE connections increased by 7 million, bringing the total to 572 million. Although 4G continues to dominate, 5G connections are expected to increase fourfold in 2023, reaching 46 million. Looking further ahead, the number of 5G connections in the region is predicted to reach 492 million by 2028, highlighting the potential for significant growth.
“The global 5G landscape is showing positive momentum as innovation and collaboration remain the mainstays of long-term progress,” said Chris Pearson, president of 5G Americas. “Now that the World Radio Conference has concluded, it is critical that international cooperation and efforts continue to ensure that spectrum and technology standards continue to drive this growth.”
Jose Otero, Vice President, Latin America and Caribbean, 5G Americas, added: “4G LTE and 5G remain important mobile communications technologies for Latin America. The success of 5G in the region with upcoming spectrum auctions and increased mass market access to 5G devices in 2024. There will be stronger opportunities for
Kristin Poulin, Principal Analyst at Omdia, said: “Looking ahead, the global 5G connection base is likely to reach 1.8 billion by the end of 2023 and 7.9 billion by 2028 as 5G-Advanced network improvements are implemented and efforts towards 6G are completed. While this represents a significant expansion, it is important to note that this growth may not be linear.
“As technology adoption increases across different regions and segments, factors such as infrastructure development, spectrum availability, device availability, and consumer demand will continue to influence the pace of adoption. 5G Today The current situation presents a cautiously optimistic outlook. By tackling new opportunities through innovation and collaboration, the industry can help ensure that 5G realizes its full potential and transforms our lives. It will ensure that you can make an impact.”