Key Takeaways from Ericsson Mobility report in November 2023

• Global 5G Subscription Growth:
  • In Q3 2023, 163 million 5G subscriptions were added globally, reaching a total of 1.4 billion.
  • 280 service providers globally have launched commercial 5G services, with more than 40 deploying or launching 5G standalone (SA).
  • Common 5G services include enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), gaming, and AR/VR-based services.

• Regional 5G Adoption:
  • North America is leading in 5G subscription growth, expected to have the highest 5G subscription penetration globally at 61 percent by the end of 2023.
  • Other regions’ anticipated 5G penetration by the end of 2023 include North East Asia (41 percent), GCC countries (34 percent), and Western Europe (25 percent).
  • India is experiencing higher-than-expected 5G subscription growth, with an expected penetration of 11 percent by the end of 2023.

• Future Projections:
  • Global 5G subscriptions are forecasted to reach 1.6 billion by the end of 2023, accounting for 18 percent of all mobile subscriptions.
  • 5G is projected to become the dominant mobile access technology by subscription in 2028.
  • Global 5G subscriptions are forecasted to exceed 5.3 billion in 2029, making up 58 percent of all mobile subscriptions.
  • North America and GCC are expected to have the highest 5G penetration in 2029 at 92 percent and 85 percent, respectively.

• Smartphone and Device Adoption:
  • Over 1,000 5G smartphone models have been launched, with an increasing market share expected to reach 62 percent in 2023.
  • Foldable device shipments grew by 16 percent year-on-year in the first half of 2023.
  • New capabilities like four-component carrier aggregation, RedCap technology, and support for URSP in smartphone operating systems are enhancing 5G functionalities.

• Mobile Network Data Traffic:
  • Mobile network data traffic grew by 33 percent between Q3 2022 and Q3 2023, reaching a total of 143 EB globally.
  • 5G is set to account for 25 percent of mobile data traffic in 2023, increasing to 76 percent by 2029.
  • Traffic growth is driven by rising smartphone subscriptions, increased data volume per subscription, and the adoption of video content.

• Traffic Growth Variation Across Regions:

• • Global growth in mobile data traffic per smartphone is attributed to improved device capabilities, data-intensive content, and network performance improvements.
  • Average monthly mobile data usage per smartphone varies across regions, with significant differences between Sub-Saharan Africa and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

Future Traffic Projections:

1. • Total global mobile data traffic (excluding Fixed Wireless Access) is expected to reach 130 EB per month at the end of 2023 and is projected to grow to 403 EB per month in 2029.
   • Including Fixed Wireless Access, total mobile network traffic is anticipated to reach around 160 EB per month at the end of 2023, rising to an expected 563 EB per month by the end of 2029.
   • Video traffic is estimated to account for 73 percent of all mobile data traffic at the end of 2023.