Data indicates that global 5G connections are approaching two billion mark

The wireless telecommunications industry saw robust expansion and technological progress in the latest quarter, driven by the rapid evolution of 5G technology, as reported by trade body 5G Americas and analyst firm Omdia. In Q1 2024, global 5G adoption continued its upward trend, reaching nearly two billion connections, with an addition of 185 million new connections.

Chris Pearson, President of 5G Americas, emphasized the sector's resilience and global significance through its rapid adoption and sustained growth. North America stands out as a leader in 5G deployment, with 5G connections now comprising 32% of all wireless cellular connections. The region added 22 million new connections in Q1 2024, bringing the total to 220 million.

Meanwhile, Latin America also showed strong growth in both 4G LTE and 5G connections, with eight million new LTE connections and nine million new 5G connections added in the same quarter. 4G LTE subscriptions remain robust across the region, alongside the increasing availability of 5G devices and spectrum.

Looking forward, Omdia's forecasts indicate that global 5G connections are expected to reach 7.7 billion by 2028, with North America projected to have 700 million 5G connections by that year. Kristin Paulin, principal analyst at Omdia, highlighted North America's swift transition to predominantly LTE and 5G networks, with legacy networks being phased out. She noted that extensive 5G coverage and diverse device options are driving adoption, with IoT expected to play a larger role in future growth.

In the broader digital landscape, IoT subscriptions are forecasted to reach 5 billion by 2028, alongside 8 billion smartphone subscriptions, underscoring the interconnected nature of our digital world. Globally, the deployment pace of 5G networks has outstripped that of 4G LTE networks at similar stages, with 316 commercial 5G networks worldwide as of mid-2024.

This dynamic growth is supported by ongoing substantial investments in 5G infrastructure globally, facilitating the expansion of both 5G and 4G LTE networks across various regions.