5G users will exceed 190 million this year and reach 2.8 billion by the end of 2025

According to a report from Ericsson, by the end of May, the number of 5G users worldwide will reach 190 million by the end of 2020 and 2.8 billion by the end of 2025.

The report also delves into the role of networks and digital infrastructure in keeping society functioning and families connected during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The spread of COVID-19 has prompted people around the world to change their daily lives, in many cases forming different work or living habits than before. "While 5G subscription growth in some markets has slowed due to the pandemic, this growth has outpaced others," said Ericsson Executive Vice President Alex Doering.

“Beyond measuring 5G’s success in terms of subscriptions, its impact will ultimately be measured by the benefits it brings to individuals and businesses,” added Jejdler. “5G was born for innovation, and this crisis has highlighted the true value of connectivity and the role it can play in revitalizing economies.”

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The value of digital infrastructure

Behavioral changes due to lockdown restrictions have led to significant shifts in the use of fixed and mobile networks. The largest share of the increased traffic has come from fixed residential, which has seen growth rates of 20% to 100%. But many service providers have also noticed a surge in demand on their mobile networks.

In a recent study, 83% of respondents from 11 countries claimed that ICT (information and communications technology) helped them a lot during the lockdown.

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The results show an increase in the adoption and use of ICT services, such as e-learning and health apps, supported by connectivity, which are helping consumers adapt to the new reality.

Looking ahead, 57% said they would save money for financial security, and a third planned to invest in 5G and improved home broadband to better prepare for a possible second wave of COVID-19.

FWA plays a bigger role

By the end of 2025, FWA (Fixed Wireless Access) connections are expected to reach nearly 160 million, accounting for 25% of global mobile network data traffic.

Global FWA data traffic was estimated to account for approximately 15% of the global total at the end of 2019. This figure is expected to grow nearly eightfold to 53 exabytes by 2025.

FWA, delivered via 4G or 5G, is an increasingly cost-effective option for delivering broadband, with the FWA market driven by several factors: consumer and business demand for digital services, as well as government-sponsored projects and subsidies.