Next generation

The fifth generation of wireless data technology known as 5G was heralded as a breakthrough that was expected to usher in a new era of ultra-fast communications and a network of connected smart devices from automobiles to vending machines. Deployment of the technology has been slower than the data speed improvements. Five years after the first 5G network began operations, the technology now accounts for just over 20% the world’s 8.5 billion mobile subscriptions, according to Ericsson’s 2024 Mobility Report. That gradual uptake has been a disappointment for the mobile phone industry where replacements cycles have lengthened, and sales have been sluggish. Today, the focus has shifted from connection speeds to processing speeds as manufacturers like Apple and Samsung promote advancements in AI-enabled phones. Nevertheless, Ericsson expects 5G to account for 60% of mobile subscriptions by 2029, at which point the industry will likely begin discussing the next generation. 

Source:  Ericsson, June 2024