GSMA, the global telecoms body, has announced that the number of 5G connections worldwide exceeded 1.5 billion by the end of 2023, making it the fastest-growing mobile broadband technology to date. This milestone was highlighted in their report, 'The State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2024'. Notably, 5G achieved this figure in just four years, compared to 10 years for 3G and over five years for 4G.
5G has now surpassed 2G and 3G in connection numbers, positioning itself to become the dominant global technology by the end of the decade. However, while deployments are increasing in low-middle-income countries (LMICs), it is unlikely to become the predominant mobile technology in many regions by 2030. For example, Nigeria launched 5G commercially in 2022, yet connections only reached 2.33 million, representing just 1.04% of the country's total mobile subscriptions.
According to GSMA, the average download speed on 5G networks reached approximately 230 Mbps by the end of 2023, significantly enhancing mobile user experiences. This advancement provides high-speed fixed broadband connectivity to areas lacking traditional infrastructure, helping to bridge the digital divide. However, the widespread adoption of 5G remains hampered by high investment costs and the expense of devices.
GSMA forecasts that by 2030, 3G and 4G will still account for over 60% of mobile broadband connections in many developing regions. This underscores the necessity for policymakers and the mobile ecosystem to continue promoting 4G technologies to meet meaningful connectivity targets.