Ericsson has forecasted that by the end of 2020, more than one billion people will live in an area that has 5G coverage rolled out.
The prediction was included in the latest edition of the Ericsson Mobility Report which also estimates that in 2026, 60 per cent of the world’s population will have access to 5G coverage, with subscriptions forecast to reach 3.5 billion.
Ericsson has raised its year-end 2020 estimate for global 5G subscriptions to 220 million as service providers continue to build out their networks.
The increase is largely due to the fast uptake of the technology in China, reaching 11 per cent of its mobile subscription base. This is driven by a national strategic focus, intense competition between service providers, and increasingly affordable 5G smartphones from vendors.
Europe will end the year with around 1 per cent of 5G subscriptions in the region while North America is expected to end the year with around 4 per cent. Ericsson forecasts that 80 per cent of North American mobile subscriptions will be 5G, the highest level of any region in the world.
Ericsson executive vice president and head of networks Fredrik Jejdling said: “This year has seen society take a big leap towards digitalisation.
“The pandemic has highlighted the impact connectivity has 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.
“5G is entering the next phase, when new devices and applications make the most out of the benefits it provides, while service providers continue to build out 5G.
“Mobile networks are a critical infrastructure for many aspects of everyday life, and 5G will be key to future economic prosperity.”
