Ericsson is now even more optimistic about 5G adoption, predicting that next-generation networks will cover 220 billion people by the end of the year, attracting 5 million subscriptions. The Swedish network equipment provider has said that subscriber numbers alone will not measure the success of 5G, noting that new applications like IoT will transform business, public services and entertainment, but positive numbers are a big vote of confidence. in the technology. There were concerns that the coronavirus is delaying the rollout of XNUMXG networks and reducing demand from consumers who may decide they have other priorities given the broader economic situation.
Ericsson 5G subscriptions
Separate studies have suggested that consumers are willing to pay a lower premium for 5G than before the pandemic, but device sales are expected to rebound in the fourth quarter and 5G support to become the norm above all. all. Price. Meanwhile, network building is picking up speed as lockdown restrictions ease in more countries. Ericsson says the rollout of 5G remains the fastest of any mobile device generation, with strong momentum in China a major factor behind the higher forecast in its latest mobility report. Adoption in the country has been driven by competition between carriers, affordable devices and strong support from the government, which sees 5G as a national priority. Four fifths of all 5G subscriptions by the end of the year will be in China, with 5G accounting for 11% of all connections. In North America, 4% of all mobile subscriptions will be 5G and by 2026 that number will have risen to 80%, the highest of any region. In Europe, only 1% of mobile subscriptions will be 5G. This is partly due to high-quality 4G networks making an upgrade less attractive, but it also reflects the fact that many countries have delayed 5G spectrum auctions due to the pandemic. By 2026, Ericsson says that four in ten mobile connections will be 5G, or 3.500 billion, and it will account for more than half of all mobile data globally. “This year the company has taken a big step in digitization. The pandemic has highlighted the impact of connectivity on our lives and has acted as a catalyst for rapid change, which is also clearly visible in this latest edition of the Ericsson Mobility report,” said Fredrik Jejdling, Executive Vice President. and Head of Networks at Ericsson. . “5G is entering the next phase, when new devices and applications take full advantage of the benefits it offers, as service providers continue to develop 5G. Mobile networks are essential infrastructure for many aspects of daily life, and 5G will be the key to future economic prosperity. "