The latest Ericsson Mobility Report for Q2 2023 has unveiled a remarkable milestone in the realm of mobile connectivity – the global count of 5G subscriptions has surged to nearly 1.3 billion. This remarkable achievement signifies the relentless growth and widespread adoption of advanced mobile connectivity on a global scale. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the key highlights from Ericsson’s Mobility Report, shedding light on significant trends in mobile subscriptions and technology adoption.
Steady Expansion of Mobile Subscriptions
During Q2 2023, the total number of mobile subscriptions worldwide reached an impressive 8.3 billion, underscoring the robust demand for mobile services. Furthermore, the quarter witnessed an addition of 40 million new subscriptions, reinforcing the continuous expansion of the global mobile industry.
India Leads in Net Subscriptions
India emerged as the leader in net subscription additions, with a substantial increase of 7 million new subscriptions during the quarter. China and the United States closely followed suit, contributing 5 million and 3 million new subscriptions, respectively, reaffirming their pivotal roles in the global mobile market.
Global Mobile Subscription Penetration
The report revealed that mobile subscriptions have achieved widespread penetration, reaching an astonishing 105 percent globally. This statistic underscores the indispensable role that mobile technology plays in the daily lives of people worldwide.
Mobile Broadband Dominance
A notable highlight of the quarter was the significant growth in mobile broadband subscriptions, with an impressive addition of 100 million subscriptions. This brought the total number of mobile broadband subscriptions to 7.4 billion, reflecting a substantial 5 percent year-on-year increase. Remarkably, mobile broadband now accounts for a substantial 88 percent of all mobile subscriptions.
5G’s Meteoric Rise Continues
The growth trajectory of 5G remained unrelenting, with a remarkable increase of 175 million 5G subscriptions during the quarter. This surge catapulted the global total to nearly 1.3 billion 5G subscriptions. Notably, approximately 260 communication service providers have introduced commercial 5G services, and around 35 have rolled out or launched 5G standalone (SA) networks, ushering in the next era of mobile connectivity.
Enduring Strength of 4G
Despite the spotlight on 5G, 4G subscriptions displayed their resilience by increasing by 11 million during the quarter, reaching a cumulative total of approximately 5.2 billion. This accounts for a substantial 62 percent of all mobile subscriptions, reaffirming the sustained demand for 4G services.
Decline in Legacy Technologies
In contrast to the positive trends observed in 5G and 4G, legacy technologies experienced a decline. WCDMA/HSPA subscriptions saw an 85 million reduction, while GSM/EDGE-only subscriptions decreased by 59 million during the quarter. Additionally, other technologies also witnessed a collective decrease of around 2 million subscriptions.
Unique Mobile Subscribers
The report identified a total of 6.1 billion unique mobile subscribers across the globe. Discrepancies between subscriptions and subscribers can be attributed to factors such as inactive subscriptions, multiple device ownership, and tailored subscriptions designed for various call types.
Mobile Network Data Traffic Soars
Mobile network data traffic surged by an impressive 33 percent between Q2 2022 and Q2 2023, reaching a staggering 134 exabytes per month. Furthermore, quarter-on-quarter growth from Q1 2023 to Q2 2023 amounted to approximately 6 percent. This surge in data traffic was attributed to the growing adoption of smartphone subscriptions and the increasing data volume per subscription, largely fueled by data-intensive services such as video streaming.
In conclusion, the Ericsson Mobility Report for Q2 2023 paints a vivid picture of the dynamic landscape of global mobile connectivity. With the relentless growth of 5G subscriptions and the enduring demand for 4G services, the mobile industry continues to evolve, shaping the future of communication and connectivity.
