Petroc Taylor
Research expert covering global developments in the use of data
5G - statistics & facts
The rollout and adoption of fifth generation (5G) mobile networks has dominated the telecommunications sector in recent years. 5G is the newest operational iteration of mobile technology and offers a range of improvements over 4G, most notably improved download speeds, greater bandwidth, and reduced latency. 5G networks are set to bring benefits across industry sectors, particularly concerning internet of things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) applications in which the real-time transfer of data is crucial. More broadly, the adoption of 5G is expected to accompany increased data use across the globe, with forecasts anticipating mobile data traffic of almost 330 exabytes per month by 2028, more than three times the volume consumed in 2022. However, the rollout of 5G infrastructure has posed challenges, requiring significant investment and close collaboration among governments, regulators, and network operators.
5G adoption is set to soar in developed regions
In 2022, around one tenth of all connections worldwide used 5G technology, with this share set to surpass one half by the end of the decade. However, regional disparity is expected to persist, with the availability of 5G infrastructure, high costs imposed by network operators, and the availability of 5G handsets continuing to impact consumer uptake. The North America, Developed Asia Pacific, and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) regions are set to have surpassed 90 percent adoption by 2030, while adoption in Sub-Saharan Africa is projected to remain below 20 percent. However, it has been suggested that 5G could play a key role in bridging the digital divide in the form of fixed wireless access (FWA). 5G FWA services use 5G networks to deliver high speed broadband internet in regions without fixed broadband infrastructure. As of 2023, almost a third of service providers in the Middle East and Africa offered a 5G FWA service.South Korea has by far the fastest 5G download speeds
5G services are often ranked by the average download speed experienced by users. South Korea recorded by far the highest average speed in 2023 at around 433 Mbps, well ahead of second-placed Singapore at 377 Mbps. Varying speeds across markets and networks are largely attributed to differing infrastructure. One factor impacting network experience is the bandwidth spectrum licensed for use by 5G operators, with a 2023 study finding a download speed increase of around 74 percent from the lowest to highest spectrum bands. Meanwhile, much emphasis has been placed on the rollout of 5G standalone (5G SA) networks, which do not utilize legacy 4G equipment and as such can offer a superior user experience.
