Global 5G mobile subscriptions reached 3.1 billion during the first quarter of 2026 after adding 162 million new subscribers, according to the latest mobility report released by Ericsson.
The June 2026 Mobility Report projects that global 5G subscriptions will more than double to 6.4 billion by 2031 as network deployment and device availability continue to expand worldwide.
According to the report, approximately 390 telecommunications providers have launched commercial 5G services, while more than 90 operators have deployed standalone 5G networks.
Ericsson said 5G networks carried 48 per cent of global mobile data traffic by the end of 2025, up from 34 per cent a year earlier. The figure is expected to rise to 85 per cent by 2031.
The report identified Western Europe, North America, North East Asia and Gulf Cooperation Council countries as the regions likely to record the highest levels of 5G adoption.
While Africa continues to show strong long-term potential, Ericsson noted that fixed wireless access growth remains relatively limited across the continent due to infrastructure and deployment challenges.
Ericsson Chief Technology Officer, Erik Ekudden, said mobile networks are increasingly evolving into intelligent digital infrastructure as artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into devices, vehicles and smart city systems.
The report also noted growing adoption of 5G network slicing services and increased demand for fixed wireless access solutions, with 71 per cent of providers now offering 5G-based FWA services.
