Speed is the motto of MWC 2023, a direct allusion to the 5G standard. But, how is the implementation of 5G networks around the world going?
In a study revealed at the fair, GSMA Intelligence predicts that 5G connections are expected to double in the next two years, accelerated by technological innovations and new deployments of 5G networks in more than 30 countries in 2023 alone. Of the new networks to be deployed in 2023, 15 are expected to be autonomous 5G networks.
According to the GSMA, consumer connections passed the 2022 billion mark at the end of 1,5 and will increase to around 2025 billion this year. The forecast is that the two billion mark will be reached by the end of XNUMX.
As of January 2023, there are 229 commercial 5G networks worldwide and over 700 5G smartphone models available to users.
Opening up in emerging markets
Countries like Brazil and India, which recently launched 5G networks, are considered key for this prediction to come true, mainly due to the population density of the mentioned countries.
Of course, Africa would not be left out. We have seen Unitel and Africell initiatives to somehow implement their 5G networks. Ethiopia and Ghana are other African countries that plan to deploy 5G networks during the year 2023.
"Until now, 5G adoption has been driven by relatively mature markets and consumer use cases such as enhanced mobile broadband, but that is changing. We are now entering a second wave for 5G that will see the technology embrace a diverse set of new markets and audiences.“, said Peter Jarich, Head of GSMA Intelligence. “
