Global adoption of fifth-generation (5G) mobile technology continued its rapid expansion in the first quarter of 2026, with worldwide subscriptions reaching 3.1 billion after the addition of 162 million new users, according to the latest Ericsson Mobility Report.
The June 2026 edition of the report projects that global 5G subscriptions will more than double over the next five years, rising to 6.4 billion by 2031 as network rollouts deepen and compatible devices become increasingly accessible across markets.
Ericsson noted that nearly 390 telecommunications service providers have launched commercial 5G services globally, while more than 90 operators have already deployed 5G Standalone (SA) networks, which are designed to unlock advanced capabilities and support emerging digital applications.
The report highlights the growing dominance of 5G in global mobile communications, revealing that the technology accounted for 48 percent of total mobile data traffic by the end of 2025, up from 34 percent a year earlier. That share is expected to rise to 85 percent by 2031, driven largely by strong adoption in Western Europe, North America, North East Asia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
“5G subscription uptake continues, adding 162 million to the total during the first quarter of 2026 to reach 3.1 billion,” Ericsson stated in the report.
It added that the proportion of mobile data traffic carried over 5G networks increased significantly during 2025 and is expected to become the dominant mobile access technology over the next decade.
Despite the global momentum, Ericsson identified Africa as one of the regions where growth in Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) services remains relatively slow, even though demand and long-term market opportunities remain substantial.
According to the report, FWA adoption is strongest in North America, the Nordic countries, GCC markets and parts of Asia, while regions such as Africa, Latin America and parts of Southeast Asia have yet to fully capitalise on the technology’s potential.
The company said wider deployment of 5G infrastructure, combined with supportive regulatory frameworks and investment-friendly policies, could significantly accelerate FWA adoption across African markets.
Erik Ekudden, Ericsson’s chief technology officer and publisher of the report, said mobile networks are increasingly evolving beyond traditional connectivity platforms into intelligent digital infrastructure capable of supporting a growing ecosystem of AI-powered services.
“Mobile networks are no longer only about providing best-effort connectivity; they are becoming critical, intelligent infrastructure that meets diverse application needs,” Ekudden said.
He noted that the continued expansion of 5G Standalone deployments and network slicing capabilities reflects the industry’s shift toward more advanced, customised connectivity services tailored to specific business and consumer requirements.
The report showed that commercial offerings based on 5G SA network slicing increased from 65 globally in November 2025 to 84 by mid-2026, signalling growing market acceptance and a transition from pilot projects to broader commercial deployment.
Growth was also recorded in the Fixed Wireless Access segment. Ericsson reported that 71 percent of FWA providers now deliver their services using 5G technology, compared with 57 percent a year earlier. Similarly, the proportion of operators offering speed-based pricing plans rose to 57 percent from 51 percent in June 2025.
New 5G-powered FWA services were launched during the review period in countries including Algeria, Argentina, Bangladesh, Morocco, Taiwan, Türkiye and Vietnam, underscoring the expanding global reach of the technology.
Beyond subscriber growth, Ericsson highlighted a significant shift in network traffic patterns. The report found that uplink traffic is growing faster than downlink traffic among 43 of the 55 operators analysed, reflecting increasing use of cloud storage, video collaboration platforms and user-generated content.
The company projects that the proliferation of artificial intelligence applications could drive uplink traffic volumes to more than three times their 2025 levels by 2031.
In Nigeria, however, 5G adoption remains at an early stage. Data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) shows that 5G connections accounted for just 4.34 percent of total mobile subscriptions as of April 2026.
Currently, only three operators — MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria and Mafab Communications have launched commercial 5G services in the country, highlighting the significant room for growth as operators continue to expand network coverage and consumer adoption.
