5G networks are nearing the end of their fourth year of commercial operation, and the global landscape reveals that the technology has made significant advances in various markets.
During Q3 of 2023, the world added 537 million 5G connections to reach a global total of 1.6 billion connections, representing a 71% increase over the past year. According to 5G Americas and data from Omdia, this growth trajectory suggests an optimistic future for the adoption of the technology.
“The global scenario regarding 5G technology presents a positive moment, where innovation and collaboration are still the keys to lasting progress,” said Chris Pearson, President of 5G Americas. “With the conclusion of the World Radio Conference, it is important to maintain international work and co-operation to ensure the provision of frequencies and development of technological standards necessary to continue on this path.”
Looking ahead, with the implementation of new 5G-Advanced features and the completion of work for the development of 6G technology, Omdia’s forecast is that 5G technology should reach 1.8 billion global connections by the end of 2023 and 7.9 billion by 2028. Although these numbers suggest a strong future expansion, it is important to remember that growth is not always linear. Factors such as infrastructure development, availability of frequencies and devices, and consumer demand will still influence the pace of technology adoption in various regions and segments.
Overall, North America remains one of the leaders in building 5G networks, recording 176 million connections in Q3 2023. This represents 22 million new connections in the quarter, or a growth of 14% compared to the previous quarter. This also represents 26% market share and 46% penetration, highlighting the strong regional commitment to support 5G technology. Some national carriers in the region have also built or are in the process of implementing Independent 5G networks.
Meanwhile, the adoption of 5G technology is still in its infancy in Latin America and the Caribbean. However, the region has shown promising progress: 7 million LTE connections were added in Q3 2023, with the region accounting for a total of 572 million. Despite the dominance of 4G technology, the number of 5G connections is expected to quadruple in 2023 to 46 million. Highlighting the potential for growth in this region, forecasts suggest that Latin America and the Caribbean should reach 492 million 5G connections by 2028.
“4G and 5G technologies are still important for mobile communication in Latin America,” said Jose Otero, Vice President of 5G Americas for Latin America and the Caribbean. “In 2024, factors such as the planned frequency auctions and greater access to 5G devices should create robust opportunities for the regional success of the technology.”
Kristin Paulin, Senior Analyst at Omdia, commented: “Today, our stance is one of cautious optimism in the face of the current scenario for 5G technology. The sector can explore the full potential of the technology and have a transformational impact on our lives if it continues to develop new opportunities through innovation and co-operation.”
The number of 5G networks in operation around the world is increasingly close to the number of 4G networks. Today, 5G has 296 commercial networks worldwide and is expected to reach 438 by 2025, reflecting robust investments in 5G infrastructure around the world.