THISDAY

Ericsson: Global Mobile Network Data Traffic Doubled in 2 Years, 5G Subscripti­ons to Hit 4.4bn in 2027

- Emma Okonji

The latest Ericsson Mobility Report shows that global mobile network data traffic doubled in the past two years, with a projection that 4.4 billion 5G subscripti­ons are expected by 2027.

According to the report, Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) will account for 20 per cent of all mobile data network traffic by the end of 2022, with 60 per cent of global mobile network data traffic expected to be over 5G networks by 2027

The report projected North America to lead the world in 5G subscripti­on penetratio­n in the next five years with nine-of-every-ten subscripti­ons in the region expected to be 5G by 2027.

The forecast is contained in the latest edition of the Ericsson Mobility Report, which also predicts that current global 5G subscripti­ons will pass the one billion milestone by the end of 2022.

In Nigeria, the statistics released last week by the Nigerian Communicat­ions Commission (NCC), the telecoms industry regulator, revealed that Nigeria’a mobile broadband subscripti­ons reached 83.37 million, equivalent to 43.67 per cent mobile broadband penetratio­n in May 2022.

The Nigerian broadband statistics for 2022, showed an increase in mobile broadband subscripti­ons and penetratio­n from 75.57 million subscripti­ons and 39.59 per cent penetratio­n in May 2021.

Based on the fast growth of broadband subscripti­ons and penetratio­n level, the NCC and the telecom operators, last week, reassured Nigerians of their commitment to roll out 5G network across the country, beginning from August 24 this year.

The Ericsson Mobility Report said in India, where 5G deployment­s were yet to begin, 5G is expected to account for nearly 40 per cent of all subscripti­ons by 2027. In global terms, 5G is forecast to account for almost half of all subscripti­ons by 2027, topping 4.4 billion subscripti­ons.

The latest Ericsson Mobility Report, which is the twenty-second edition of Ericsson’s network traffic insights and forecasts, also reveals that global mobile network data traffic doubled in the past two years.

The traffic growth was driven by increased smartphone and mobile broadband usage, as well as the digitalisa­tion of society and industries. The recent statistics and forecasts highlight the strong demand data connectivi­ty and digital services have, and are expected to have, despite the global Covid-19 pandemic and geopolitic­al uncertaint­ies. Several hundred million people are becoming new mobile broadband subscriber­s every year.

The June 2022 Ericsson Mobility Report also verifies that 5G is scaling faster than all previous mobile technology generation­s. About a quarter of the world’s population currently has access to 5G coverage. Some 70 million 5G subscripti­ons were added during the first quarter of 2022 alone. By 2027, about three-quarters of the world’s population will be able to access 5G, according to the report.

Analysing the report, the Executive Vice President and Head of Networks at Ericsson, Fredrik Jejdling, said: “The latest Ericsson Mobility Report confirms 5G as the fastest growing mobile technology generation ever, and Ericsson is playing a key role

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