Worldwide 5G coverage expected to expand from 15% last year to 60% by 2026

15th January 2021

By: Natasha Odendaal

Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

     

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Fifth-generation (5G) population coverage is estimated to have reached 15% of the world’s population – equivalent to over one-billion people – by the end of 2020.

The latest edition of the ‘Ericsson Mobility Report’ predicts that, by 2026, 60% of the world’s population will have access to 5G coverage and that four out of every ten mobile subscriptions in the next five years will be 5G.

The 5G subscriptions are forecast to reach 3.5-billion by 2026, accounting for more than 50% of mobile data traffic and about 40% of all mobile subscriptions at that time, the report, published in November, indicates.

The current uptick in 5G subscriptions and population coverage confirms the technology as deploying the fastest of any generation of mobile connectivity, says Ericsson executive VP and networks head Fredrik Jejdling.

Over the forecast period, 5G subscription uptake is expected to be significantly faster than that of 4G/long-term evolution (LTE), after its launch in 2009.

Ericsson notes that the fundamental need for good connectivity is a cornerstone for this change, as the demand for capacity and coverage of cellular networks continues to grow.

“This year has seen society take a big leap towards digitalisation. The [Covid-19] pandemic has highlighted the impact connectivity has on our lives and has acted as a catalyst for rapid change, which is also clearly visible in this latest edition of the ‘Ericsson Mobility Report’,” Jejdling comments.

“5G is entering the next phase, when new devices and applications make the most out of the benefits it provides, while service providers continue to build out 5G. Mobile networks are a critical infrastructure for many aspects of everyday life and 5G will be key to future economic prosperity.”

In line with this, Ericsson increased its estimates for global 5G subscriptions to 220-million for 2020, with China accounting for 175-million, or 80%.

“The increase is largely due to rapid uptake in China, reaching 11% of its mobile subscription base. This is driven by a national strategic focus, intense competition between service providers, as well as increasingly affordable 5G smartphones from several vendors,” he explains.

In North America, 5G accounted for about 4% of its mobile subscriptions by the end of 2020. However, as commercialisation is moving rapidly in the region, Ericsson forecasts that, by 2026, 80% of North America’s mobile subscriptions will be 5G, the highest level of any region in the world.

Europe ended the year with about 1% 5G subscriptions, as some countries in the region delayed auctions of the radio spectrum needed to support 5G deployment.

Meanwhile, the success of 5G is not limited to coverage or subscription numbers alone. Its value will also determined by new use cases and applications, the first of which have already started to emerge, Jejdling points out.

“Critical Internet of Things, intended for time-critical applications that demand data delivery within a specified time duration, will be introduced in 5G networks. This will enable a wide range of time-critical services for consumers, enterprises and public institutions across various sectors, with 5G public and dedicated networks.”

Edited by Martin Zhuwakinyu
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

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