Industry Opportunities Highlighted by 5G Standalone, 5G-Advanced, Enterprise IoT, and AI Developments
GSMA Intelligence (GSMAi) has unveiled new figures illustrating the rapid growth of 5G technology, with the total number of 5G connections projected to soar to 5.5 billion by 2030. This significant increase follows the milestone of surpassing one billion 5G connections by the end of 2022, with the total reaching 1.6 billion by the close of 2023. By 2029, 5G is projected to account for over 51% of global mobile connections, with this share anticipated to increase to 56% by 2030.
As of January 2024, 261 operators in 101 countries have introduced commercial 5G services, and over 90 operators across 64 more markets are set to roll out 5G in the near future. Among these, 47 services are provided by 5G Standalone (SA) networks, and 89 more are on the horizon. These advanced networks will take advantage of innovations such as network slicing, ultra-reliable low-latency communications, and a streamlined 5G Standalone (SA) network architecture, enhancing overall network performance and flexibility. These features will not only enhance network efficiency but also support a wide array of applications and services.
The rise of 5G SA networks and improved support for private and dedicated networks are anticipated to play a pivotal role in realizing the global IoT vision for enterprises. Currently, the enterprise segment accounts for 10.7 billion IoT connections, slightly surpassing the 10.5 billion consumer connections. This figure is expected to more than double to 38.5 billion by 2030. Notably, smart buildings and smart manufacturing are projected to comprise 34% and 16% of total enterprise connections, respectively, highlighting the growing importance of these sectors.
Looking ahead, the introduction of 5G-Advanced, with 3GPP Release 18, represents another crucial milestone in the evolution of 5G technology. According to GSMAi data, over half of operators are expected to commence deployment of 5G-Advanced solutions within a year of their commercial release. This next-generation technology is anticipated to drive substantial investment in 5G through 2024 and 2025, with particular emphasis on applications such as 5G multicast services and low-cost IoT support.
The report also projects a dramatic increase in mobile data traffic, with global monthly mobile data traffic per connection expected to rise from 12.8 GB in 2023 to 47.9 GB by 2030. This forecasted fourfold growth underscores the critical need for expanded 5G infrastructure and capacity to accommodate the surging demand for data and connectivity.
Additionally, the report highlights the ongoing advancements in 5G technology, including developments in the GSMA Open Gateway and new revenue models through the BCE (Blockchain-Cloud-Edge) standard. These innovations are set to further enhance the capabilities of 5G networks, offering new opportunities for service providers and enterprises alike.
In summary, the rapid expansion of 5G technology continues to reshape the telecommunications landscape, with significant implications for connectivity, IoT, and data traffic. As 5G becomes the predominant connectivity technology, its impact on various industries and markets will be profound, driving future advancements and opportunities.