5G Connections Accelerate to 1.76 Billion Globally with North America Leading the Charge

The expansion of 5G technology has surged globally, reaching 1.76 billion connections in 2023, according to a report by 5G Americas.

5G Continues to Gain Steam Worldwide

Chris Pearson, President of 5G Americas, highlighted the industry's momentum, emphasizing the collaborative efforts driving innovation and connectivity.

With Fixed Wireless Access playing a crucial role in meeting broadband demands, the industry continues to push boundaries, enhancing global connectivity.

"The wireless telecommunications industry stands at the cusp of a new era, driven by innovation, collaboration, and a shared vision for a connected future. With Fixed Wireless Access continuing to drive consumer broadband demand, new technology milestones are advancing unparalleled connectivity experiences worldwide," Pearson said in a press release statement.

North America emerged as a frontrunner in 5G adoption, witnessing a remarkable 64% year-over-year growth in connections. By the end of 2023, North America boasted 197 million 5G connections, representing 29% of all connections in the region.

Latin America also experienced notable progress, with LTE connections reaching 582 million and 5G connections reaching 39 million by the close of 2023. Despite 5G's emergence, 4G LTE remains robust across the region, laying the foundation for future growth.

"4G LTE is still the strongest technology across the region," said Jose Otero, Vice President of Latin America, and the Caribbean for 5G Americas. "Although various factors, including 5G handset mass market availability and completion of spectrum auctions will see an increase in 5G coverage, and subscriber growth in the coming year."

Omdia predicts a transformative decade for telecommunications, with global 5G connections projected to soar to 7.9 billion by 2028. North America is expected to host 700 million 5G connections by the same year, solidifying its position as a leader in the industry.

5G Will Continue to Dominate Until 2028

Kristin Paulin, principal analyst at Omdia, highlighted the monumental shift expected, with 5G projected to account for more than half of all connections globally by 2028, surpassing 80% in North America.

Moreover, 5G data traffic is anticipated to dominate technology data traffic, reaching 76% of all traffic by 2028, marking the exponential growth trajectory of 5G connectivity.

Amidst the focus on 5G, the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem remains integral to the digital landscape, with global IoT subscriptions standing at 3.1 billion.

Forecasts suggest a surge in IoT subscriptions to 4.5 billion and smartphone subscriptions to 7.4 billion by 2026, underscoring the interconnected nature of the digital world.

The deployment of 5G networks worldwide has showcased considerable strength, with 314 commercial networks as of March 18, 2024, expected to grow to 450 by 2025.

This signifies substantial investments in 5G infrastructure globally, shaping the future of telecommunications.