Global 5G connections to rise by 500 million this year.

700 5G smartphone models are now available 

5G connections are expected to double over the next two years according to analysts at GSMA Intelligence. Growth will come from technological innovations and new 5G network deployments in more than 30 countries this year.

GSMA Intelligence reports that consumer 5G connections will increase from one billion at the end of 2022 to around 1.5 billion this year and reach two billion by the end of 2025. This makes 5G as the fastest generational roll-out, compared with 3G and 4G.  

There are now 229 commercial 5G networks and over 700 5G smartphone models available.

Growth will be especially significant in Brazi; and India. In India, the expansion of services from Airtel and Jio in 2023 is expected to be pivotal to the region’s 5G adoption. GSMA Intelligence predicts there will be four 5G networks in India by the end of 2025, accounting for 145 million additional users.

Many of the new 5G markets scheduled to launch 5G this year are in

Africa and Asia. 5G adoption in sub-Saharan Africa is currently less than one per cent sits but will reach over four per cent by 2025 and 16 per cent in 2030,

“Until now, 5G adoption has been driven by mature markets and consumer use cases like enhanced mobile broadband. But that’s changing. We’re now entering a second wave for 5G that will see the technology engage a diverse set of new markets and audiences,” said Peter Jarich, Head of GSMA Intelligence.

“The extension to new use cases and markets will challenge the mobile ecosystem to prove that 5G truly is flexible enough to meet these diverse demands in a way both inclusive and innovative.”