Driven by the rapid evolution of 5G technology, the wireless communications industry saw strong expansion and technological advancements in the most recent quarter, according to a report from industry group 5G Americas and analyst firm Omdia. Global 5G adoption continues to trend upwards, reaching nearly 2 billion connections and adding 185 million new connections in the first quarter of 2024.
Chris Pearson, president of 5G Americas, highlighted the resilience and global importance of the sector through rapid adoption and sustained growth. North America stands out as a leader in 5G deployment, with 5G connections currently accounting for 32% of all wireless cellular connections. The region is expected to add 22 million new connections in the first quarter of 2024, bringing the total to 220 million.
Meanwhile, Latin America also saw strong growth in both 4G LTE and 5G connections, adding 8 million new LTE connections and 9 million new 5G connections in the quarter. 4G LTE subscriber numbers remain strong across the region, as does the availability of 5G devices and spectrum.
Looking ahead, Omdia predicts that global 5G connections will reach 7.7 billion by 2028, with North America expected to have 700 million 5G connections by that year. Kristin Paulin, principal analyst at Omdia, emphasized that North America is seeing a rapid transition to primarily LTE and 5G networks, while legacy networks are being phased out. She noted that 5G’s broad coverage and diverse device options are driving adoption, with IoT expected to play a bigger role in future growth.
In the broader digital environment, IoT subscribers are forecast to reach 5 billion by 2028, and smartphone subscribers will reach 8 billion, highlighting the interconnectedness of the digital world. Globally, the pace of 5G network deployment is outpacing that of 4G LTE networks at a similar stage, with 316 commercial 5G networks worldwide as of mid-2024.
This dynamic growth is supported by ongoing significant investments in 5G infrastructure across the globe, facilitating the expansion of 5G and 4G LTE networks in various regions.
