Global demand for next-generation connectivity continues to surge, with worldwide 5G mobile subscriptions reaching 3.1 billion in the first quarter of 2026, according to Ericsson’s latest Mobility Report.
The report, released on Tuesday, revealed that 162 million new 5G subscriptions were added during the quarter, pushing global adoption beyond the three-billion mark.
Ericsson projects that the number of global 5G subscriptions will more than double to 6.4 billion by 2031 as network expansion and the availability of 5G-enabled devices continue to grow.
The report highlighted significant opportunities for Africa, noting that broader 5G adoption could accelerate broadband access, digital inclusion and enterprise connectivity across the continent.
Its findings align with recent statistics released by the Nigerian Communications Commission, which showed that Nigeria’s 5G penetration maintained a steady upward trend during the first quarter of 2026.
According to NCC data, 5G penetration increased to 4.20 per cent in March, up from 4.06 per cent in February and 3.94 per cent in January, reflecting growing consumer demand for faster internet services and improved network performance.
The increase has been driven by the gradual expansion of 5G infrastructure by mobile network operators and rising adoption of 5G-compatible devices among subscribers.
Ericsson’s report further revealed that approximately 390 telecommunications service providers have launched commercial 5G services globally, while more than 90 operators have already deployed 5G Standalone (SA) networks.
The company noted that 5G networks accounted for 48 per cent of global mobile data traffic by the end of 2025 and are expected to carry as much as 85 per cent by 2031.
While regions such as Western Europe, North America, North East Asia and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries are projected to record the highest adoption levels, Ericsson said Africa still has substantial untapped potential, particularly in fixed wireless access (FWA) services.
The report also showed increasing commercial adoption of differentiated connectivity services powered by 5G SA network slicing technology, with the number of commercial offerings rising from 65 in November 2025 to 84 globally.
Commenting on the findings, Ericsson’s Chief Technology Officer, Erik Ekudden, said mobile networks are rapidly evolving into intelligent digital infrastructure capable of supporting artificial intelligence applications.
He noted that AI integration in devices, vehicles and smart cities would significantly alter network traffic patterns, while the expansion of 5G SA and network slicing technologies would enable operators to meet increasingly complex connectivity demands.
The report also highlighted growing interest in 5G-powered fixed wireless access as operators seek new revenue opportunities. According to Ericsson, 71 per cent of FWA providers now offer services over 5G, up from 57 per cent a year ago.
Meanwhile, the company observed changing network usage trends, with uplink traffic increasingly growing faster than downlink traffic due to rising use of collaboration tools, cloud storage and user-generated content.
Ericsson projected that AI-driven applications could push uplink traffic volumes to more than three times their 2025 levels by 2031.
The report further disclosed that overall network data traffic, covering both mobile broadband and FWA services, increased by 22 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026, largely driven by strong demand in India and North America.
Looking ahead, Ericsson said industry attention is increasingly turning toward sixth-generation (6G) mobile technology, with standardisation discussions already underway.
The company expects the first practical 6G specifications to be completed between late 2028 and early 2029, with commercial deployments likely to commence around 2030.
According to Ericsson, artificial intelligence will be a foundational component of future 6G networks and services, while countries such as the United States, China, Japan, South Korea and members of the GCC are expected to lead early adoption.
The report concluded that African countries must intensify investments in digital infrastructure to remain competitive in the emerging AI-driven global economy.