New data shows that 5G technology is significantly increasing in popularity and is predicted to boom even further in the coming years, writes Paul Budde.
For decades, I have relied on the annual statistical report on the global communications market published by telecommunications giant Ericsson. Reports in the 1980s and 1990s primarily focused on telephone statistics, but over time they expanded to include broadband and mobile data.
However, due to the privatization of telecommunications services, not all countries continued to provide reliable statistics to Ericsson. As a result, these valuable reports, which were important resources for researchers like me, were obsolete.
Nevertheless, Ericsson has established a leading position in the mobile market and therefore has launched a new annual statistical report that focuses exclusively on developments in the mobile sector. In this regard, the company recently published its 2023 report, which is once again full of interesting statistics.
Highlights from the latest report include: Ericsson Mobility Report.
The strong growth of 5G technology continued in 2023, with approximately 610 million new 5G users, a significant 63% increase year-on-year. This growth exceeded initial expectations by approximately 100 million yen. Despite economic challenges and geopolitical uncertainties in various markets, the resilience of 5G user adoption remains evident, demonstrating sustained demand for high-speed connectivity.
Since the commercialization of 5G, more than 1,000 smartphone models have been launched on the market. In 2023 alone, more than 240 new models were introduced to the market, and 5G smartphones accounted for virtually 62% of total smartphone shipments. This is an increase from his 57% in 2022 and highlights the accelerating adoption of 5G-enabled devices.
Looking to the future, Ericsson’s Mobile Trends Report predicts a significant trajectory of 5G user growth. It is estimated that in his six years from the end of 2023 to the end of 2029, the number of 5G users in the world will jump from 1.6 billion to 5.3 billion. This forecast represents an impressive growth rate of over 330%, demonstrating that 5G technology will continue to evolve and integrate into the global communications landscape.
Remarkably, 5G subscriber growth is not limited to any particular region, but is a global phenomenon, with numbers steadily increasing in all regions of the world. Despite the challenges in the smartphone market, the lure of high-speed, low-latency connectivity offered by 5G remains attractive to both consumers and businesses.
This surge is fueled by the continued growth in data traffic on mobile networks. Data usage across mobile networks is on the rise due to the demand for seamless connectivity and high data transfer speeds. Although the percentage growth rate may have slowed down slightly, actual data traffic continues to increase, indicating an increasing reliance on mobile networks for various applications and services.
An important milestone in navigating the digital landscape is just around the corner. 5G is expected to account for an effective 25% of mobile data traffic this year. This not only marks the rapid integration of 5G into our daily digital interactions, but also signals a paradigm shift in the way we use and rely on mobile data services.
Examining the dynamics of uplink traffic reveals that communication services and cloud storage services dominate this space. The uplink aspect is often overlooked, but it plays a vital role in facilitating real-time communication, collaboration, and seamless integration of cloud-based applications.
Service providers are taking advantage of 5G’s expansive capacity by incorporating it into their mobile service packages. This strategic move will enable the company to offer enhanced connectivity and data transfer capabilities, further solidifying 5G’s position as the foundation of evolving mobile communications.
Beyond personal subscriptions, the realm of cellular Internet of Things (IoT) is experiencing its own surge. According to predictions, cellular IoT connections will reach a staggering 3 billion by 2023, indicating the rapid integration of IoT devices into the fabric of our interconnected world. The introduction of new technologies expands the possibilities of broadband IoT, opening new avenues for innovation and connectivity.
Moreover, the rise of 5G fixed wireless access (FWA) services is undeniable. The service provider’s 5G FWA adoption rate has reached a remarkable 50%, highlighting the growing preference for fast and reliable wireless connectivity in both urban and rural areas.
In terms of coverage, 5G mid-band technology has made significant progress, reaching 30% population coverage by the end of 2023. This demonstrates our continued efforts to bring the benefits of 5G beyond city centers and ensure a more comprehensive and inclusive network experience. Users all over the world.
Paul Budde is an independent Australian columnist and managing director of Paul Budde Consulting, an independent telecommunications research and consulting organization. You can follow Paul on Twitter @PaulBudde.
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