5G to become dominant mobile tech by 2027

5G is set to become the dominant mobile technology by 2027, accounting for more than half (49%) of mobile subscriptions by this time, research from Ericsson suggests.

The vendor’s tenth annual Mobility Report forecasts that 5G networks will cover 75% of the world’s population and carry 62% of mobile data traffic by this time. Total 5G subscriptions are predicted to reach 4.4 billion by the end of the forecast period.

This will make 5G the fastest deployed mobile generation to date. Total 5G subscriptions are already on track to reach 660 million by the end of this year.

Meanwhile, 5G handsets are already accounting for 23% of global sales volumes, which compares with just 8% of 4G handsets at the equivalent point in 4G's technology lifecycle.

According to the report, in the Southeast Asia and Oceania region, 5G subscriptions are expected to hit 15 million by the end of this year. The region is also expected to see data traffic per user grow at the fastest rate globally by 2027, reaching 46 GB per month in 2027.

Total mobile data traffic in the region is expected to grow at a CAGR of 34% by 2027, reaching 46 exabytes per month.

Across all technology types, mobile subscriptions in the region have already surpassed 1.1 billion.

Another finding from the report is the growth in fixed wireless access (FWA) connections. Ericsson predicts that total connections will grow from 88 million at the end of this year to around 230 million in 2027. Almost half of these connections will be over 5G, the report said.

“Mobile communication has had an incredible impact on society and business over the last 10 years. When we look ahead to 2027, mobile networks will be more integral than ever in how we interact, live and work,” Ericsson EVP and head of networks Fredrik Jejdling said.

“Our latest Ericsson Mobility Report shows that the pace of change is accelerating, with technology playing a crucial role.”

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