The proportion of mobile subscriptions that are 5G increased from one-quarter at the end of 2024 to one-third in 2025. 5G mid-band is ideal for providing both capacity and coverage, and therefore enhancing user experience, with population coverage expected to reach 45 percent globally outside mainland China during 2025.Mobile network data traffic grew 20 percent between Q3 2024 and Q3 2025, slightly more than expected. Looking to the next generation, the 6G standardisation process has already begun. We expect the first commercial launches to be driven by leading service providers in front-runner markets. AI-native 6G networks, together with new capabilities such as integrated sensing and communication (ISAC), will enable entirely new use cases and classes of devices. These advances will unlock new business opportunities for service providers.

5G to account for one-third of mobile subscriptions in 2025.

During the third quarter of 2025, 162 million 5G subscriptions were added, bringing the total to almost 2.8 billion.

5G subscription uptake continues apace and the total is expected to reach 2.9 billion at the end of 2025, accounting for one-third of all mobile subscriptions. The highest 5G subscription penetration is expected to be in North America with 79 percent, followed by North East Asia at 61 percent and Western Europe and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, both at 55 percent. Globally, 5G is anticipated to overtake 4G as the dominant mobile access technology by subscription by the end of 2027, nine years after launch.

Around 360 service providers have now launched commercial 5G services, and more than 90 of those have launched or soft-launched 5G standalone (SA).

As subscribers migrate to 5G, the number of 4G subscriptions continues to decline. During the third quarter, 4G subscriptions declined by 65 million, bringing the total below 4.8 billion. 3G subscriptions declined by 22 million during the same period, while 2G subscriptions dropped by 29 million.

2G and 3G network sunsetting continues around the world. The phasing out of 3G networks is anticipated to happen more quickly than that of 2G in the coming years, but the timeline for this transition varies based on country and service provider.

© Ericsson 2025

Ericsson Mobility Report November 2025

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As Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) becomes a key solution for expanding wireless broadband coverage, uplink performance is gaining critical importance. This Industry Insight article from MediaTek highlights how 5G-Advanced enhances FWA use cases with key technologies such as Uplink Transmit Switching (UL Tx Switching), Uplink 3-Transmit Antenna Transmission (3Tx), and Low Latency, Low Loss, Scalable Throughput (L4S). These 5G-Advanced innovations address common challenges like limited capacity and low latency, significantly improving uplink reliability and throughput. Together, FWA can deliver a more responsive and fiber-like broadband experience, supporting the growing demand for real-time applications such as video calls, cloud gaming, and remote work.

Link to the GSA Insight Article here.

Powering the Future of FWA with 5G-Advanced

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GSA Research

Mobile industry research is the backbone of GSA activity and covers topics from devices, chipsets and technology, to networks, features and spectrum.

The GSA research team is constantly following market dynamics and activity to ensure the latest data is available to GSA users via the GSA website.

Data is updated monthly and quarterly and can be referenced by users who register for free on the GSA website and download multiple reports, charts and videos of webinars. GSA welcomes any contributions on industry data from mobile operators, vendors and suppliers what want to ensure accurate industry data is shared globally.

GSA GAMBoD Database

GSA reports are based on extensive data contained in the GSA GAMBoD databases, which is a resource available to GSA members and associates. Companies and policy makers can subscribe, as a GSA associate, to gain access to GSA databases and member reports for additional insights into the source data behind reports, which can be used for their own research purposes.

Discounted annual subscription are available to regulators, government agencies and licensed mobile operators.

Please email info@gsacom.com for more information.

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The FWA handbook of 2025 presents eight actionable insights into the 5G momentum, with more than one billion opportunities to close the digital divide. Its condensed chapters cover offering speed-tiered plans, benefiting from the accelerating CPE ecosystem, network evolution, and more. In the 2025 edition, Ericsson has expanded and refined its material, adding two insights on consumer behaviour and capital allocation.

Insight #1: FWA momentum: Unlocking economies of scale
Insight #2: 5G FWA: Matching fiber in consumer satisfaction
Insight #3: Monetization roadmap: From best effort to premium FWA
Insight #4: FWA: The key to closing the Digital Divide
Insight #5: Optimizing CAPEX recipe: Perfect blend of fiber and FWA
Insight #6: Boost FWA adoption with integrated business processes
Insight #7: Multiple CPE choices enable a variety of offerings
Insight #8: Premium experiences powered by 5G Advanced

Download at this link.

https://www.ericsson.com/en/reports-and-papers/further-insights/fwa-insights

© 2025

Ericsson Fixed Wireless Access Handbook 2025

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With global FWA revenues set to exceed US$9bn by 2027, and long term subscriber growth expected in Southeast Asia and the Middle East and Africa, many millions of FWA CPE are set to be manufactured and deployed in the coming years. Global spend on FWA access equipment will pass US$40bn over the next five years, with spending on 4G and 5G-enabled enterprise routers and gateways set to grow by US$4bn by 2027, the firm says.

This presents a substantial opportunity for FWA service providers which they can maximize by engaging an ODM to create tailored, optimized, attractive CPE that matches the needs of their customer bases. Instead of simply selecting existing products that don’t necessarily meet all of their needs, FWA service providers can find that perfect balance between cost, features and performance and create differentiating CPE that truly sets them apart from their competition.

The good news is that, by selecting an ODM, all the complexities of design and development, the delays involved with testing, validation and certification and the headaches of securing high volume manufacturing with supporting logistics can all be abstracted away. This leaves the service provider free to focus on the core business of attracting and serving subscribers, many of which will be connecting to the digital world for the first time.

Optimized FWA CPE – IKOTEK white paper

© Ikotek 2024

For more information visit ikotek.com

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Wireless innovations to supercharge the path toward intelligent computing everywhere.

Where are we on the 5G journey?

What’s in 5G Advanced Release 18 and what are our key innovations?

How does 5G Advanced fit into our 6G vision?

@QCOMResearch| San Diego, CA

July 2024

© Qualcomm Inc. 2024

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GSA Research

Mobile industry research is the backbone of GSA activity and covers topics from devices, chipsets and technology, to networks, features and spectrum.

The GSA research team is constantly following market dynamics and activity to ensure the latest data is available to GSA users via the GSA website.

Data is updated monthly and quarterly and can be referenced by users who register for free on the GSA website and download multiple reports, charts and videos of webinars. GSA welcomes any contributions on industry data from mobile operators, vendors and suppliers what want to ensure accurate industry data is shared globally.

GSA GAMBoD Database

GSA reports are based on extensive data contained in the GSA GAMBoD databases, which is a resource available to GSA members and associates. Companies and policy makers can subscribe, as a GSA associate, to gain access to GSA databases and member reports for additional insights into the source data behind reports, which can be used for their own research purposes.

Discounted annual subscription are available to regulators, government agencies and licensed mobile operators.

Please email info@gsacom.com for more information.
A closer look at 5G Advanced Release-18

The post A closer look at 5G Advanced Release-18 appeared first on GSA.

Download here.

How fixed wireless access for households capture the connectivity market.

Interest in Fixed Wireless Access for households as a preferred connectivity is a growth opportunity for service providers. Five key findings for capturing that opportunity have been revealed by Ericsson ConsumerLab research.

This Ericsson ConsumerLab study explores the current stage of home broadband internet and delves into the status of Fixed Wireless Access connectivity for households with both 4G and 5G. It examines consumer connectivity needs, satisfaction with existing broadband solutions and future demands and potential, as well as perceptions and views on Fixed Wireless Access to fulfil these requirements.

Methodology
This Ericsson ConsumerLab study explores the current stage of home broadband internet and delves into the status of Fixed Wireless Access connectivity for households with both 4G and 5G. It examines consumer connectivity needs, satisfaction with existing broadband solutions and future demands and potential, as well as perceptions and views on FWA to fulfill these requirements. Unless specified, when FWA is mentioned in the study it refers to both 4G and 5G FWA households.

Spanning 19 countries, this research is unique in its scale, diversity and comprehensive approach to understanding households’ internet connectivity. It focuses on how various stages of home broadband internet development across different markets influence consumer choices and perceptions, emphasizing the importance of diversity and variety of needs across and within each of these markets. The FWA opportunity is analyzed within the unique home broadband internet context in each market.

Capturing the 5G FWA opportunity: Ericsson white paper © Ericsson 2024

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Continued strong uptake of 5G, with around 600 million new subscriptions added globally during 2023, shows that demand for high-performance connectivity remains resilient in the face of ongoing economic challenges and geopolitical unrest in some markets.

The majority of networks deployed so far are 5G non-standalone, but an increasing number of communications service providers are deploying 5G standalone (SA). It offers greater possibilities to support new and more demanding use cases for both consumers and enterprises. Only with standalone architecture can 5G use cases requiring time-bound latency, higher speeds, capacity or benefits from network slicing be achieved. To date, more than 40 service providers have deployed or launched 5G

SA in public networks.

5G deployment is far from complete. Further densification of 5G mid-band sites is needed for the full 5G experience. By the end of 2023, it’s estimated that 5G mid-band will be deployed in around 30 percent of existing 4G sites globally.

In this edition of the Ericsson Mobility Report, we take a closer look at a large-scale deployment of mid-band 5G SA in India, where the service provider aims to capture the new business opportunities 5G offers for both consumers and enterprises.

The ongoing surge in data traffic remains a strong driver of demand for mobile networks. Most traffic is generated indoors, where people typically spend the majority of their time. There is,

however, a growing need to extend 5G mid-band coverage indoors to ensure a comprehensive 5G experience. This edition explores how demand for indoor connectivity drives the need for enhanced network performance. In the manufacturing industry, wireless connectivity is becoming a key determinant of production-line output, as factory processes cannot withstand intermittent network delays or areas with no coverage. We explore this topic by examining how 5G enables the agility required to support rapid changes and the reallocation of factory resources in modern gigafactories and green steel plants.

Ericsson Mobility-Report November 2023

Ericsson Mobility-Report November 2023

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In many of my recent interactions with communications service providers, sustainability and revenue growth have been the common themes. In this report we have analyzed a number of current trends within our industry and explored ways in which service providers are turning 5G opportunities into revenues.

Around 230 5G networks are in commercial service today. And – with a growing 5G subscription base that has surpassed 1 billion – business fundamentals of the industry remain solid, despite macroeconomic and geopolitical challenges, as consumers prioritize mobile services. We can see early indications of revenue growth in advanced 5G markets with extensive coverage build-out and differentiated service offerings. Enhanced mobile broadband offers the fastest revenue opportunities for 5G, as it is an extension of service providers’ existing business, relying on the same business models and processes. Many service providers are updating their charging models and shifting customers to new, 5G-adapted subscriptions. The mobile broadband business will continue to comprise a significant part of service providers’ revenue in the foreseeable future, but it is not expected to drive long-term growth on its own.

Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) is one of the major early 5G use cases, particularly in regions with unserved or underserved broadband markets. The growth potential provided by FWA is especially attractive as it leverages mobile broadband assets to a large degree. Beyond the consumer business, there are growing 5G opportunities in enterprise and public sector applications across the world. 5G enables significant value for enterprises as private networks and wireless wide-area networks are now being deployed.

A very important aspect of 5G is that it also brings cost advantages and helps service providers to handle the data growth needed to drive future revenue. Upgrading existing 4G sites to 5G has the potential to realize increases of up to 10 times in capacity and to reduce energy consumption by more than 30 percent, offering the possibility to grow revenue and reduce costs while addressing sustainability.

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5G-Monetization – Ericsson Mobility Report

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Today, the fifth generation (5G) of mobile networks is being commercially deployed worldwide.

The momentum continues to grow as expanding coverage and capacity unlock a rich array of new 5G devices and services. In parallel, 5G technologies are evolving into 5G Advanced, a second wave of technology innovations that can deliver on the full promise of 5G. The inaugural release of 3GPP Release 18 will establish the technology roadmap for 5G Advanced, including advanced technologies that will fuel future wireless enhancement and further expansion.

While the advancement of wireless technologies is continuous, there is a natural cadence of a new mobile generation emerging approximately every ten years. The goal of the next-generation platform is to bring major leaps in performance and efficiency that are not currently achievable. As 5G Advanced evolves, an early vision for 6G is emerging. Besides garnering the latest technology advancements and continuing the quest to address economic growth and societal sustainability goals, 6G will also bring new possibilities for enhanced experiences and use cases.

6G will be more than just a new radio technology. It is envisioned as a smart, wireless communication fabric that connects people and things, and also as a platform that can sustain the continued expansion of the connected intelligent edge. Beyond enhanced communication capabilities, 6G will also fully unleash the synergistic potential of artificial intelligence (AI), integrated sensing, and novel green technologies. 6G will build on the evolutionary, technical foundation established by 5G Advanced and usher in revolutionary technologies to become the unified innovation platform for 2030 and beyond.

This paper describes the role that Qualcomm is playing in preparing the evolution of 5G Advanced into 6G. Readers will learn about our work on six research vectors in mobile innovation:

6G – Vision: Market: Drivers – Qualcomm white paper

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By the end of 2022, 5G subscriptions are expected to reach 1 billion.
Despite a weaker economy and geopolitical uncertainties, service providers continue to deploy 5G, with 228 having already launched commercial 5G services globally. Deployment of 5G standalone (SA) networks also continues, with around

35 service providers having deployed
or launched 5G SA in public networks.1 The most common 5G services launched by service providers for consumers are enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), gaming and some AR/VR-based services.

Strong 5G subscription growth

5G subscriptions2 grew by 110 million during the third quarter to around 870 million, and that number is expected to reach 1 billion
by the end of 2022. North America and North East Asia are expected to have the highest 5G subscription penetration by the end of 2022 at around 35 percent, followed by the Gulf Cooperation Council countries at 20 percent and Western Europe at

11 percent. In 2028, it is projected that North America will have the highest 5G penetration at 91 percent, followed by Western Europe at 88 percent.

By the end of 2028, 5 billion 5G subscriptions are forecast globally, accounting for 55 percent of all mobile subscriptions. 5G subscription uptake is faster than that of 4G following its launch in 2009, with 5G expected to reach 1 billion subscriptions 2 years sooner than 4G. Key factors include the timely availability of
devices from several vendors, with prices falling faster than for 4G, and China’s large, early 5G deployments. 5G will become the dominant mobile access technology by subscriptions in 2027.

Subscriptions for 4G continue to increase, growing by 41 million during Q3 2022
to around 5 billion. 4G subscriptions are projected to peak at 5.2 billion by the end of 2022, then decline to around 3.6 billion by the end of 2028 as subscribers migrate to 5G.

During the quarter, 3G subscriptions declined by 41 million, while GSM/EDGE-only subscriptions dropped by 44 million and other technologies3 decreased by about 6 million.

During the quarter, China had the most net additions (+15 million), followed by Nigeria (+5 million) and Indonesia (+4 million).

Ericsson Mobility-Report November 2022

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