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The Ericsson Mobility Report for November 2024 offers a comprehensive forecast on the future of mobile networks, highlighting the rapid growth of 5G technology and its global impact. The report projects that by 2030, 5G will account for 60% of all mobile subscriptions worldwide, with significant growth in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA)region, where 5G subscriptions are expected to reach 500 million. The report also examines key trends shaping the telecom industry, including the rise of 5G Standalone (SA) networks, the increasing adoption of Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), and the anticipated role of AI in driving mobile traffic growth. A case study from stc (Saudi Telecom) highlights how advanced network strategies are enhancing 5G performance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
- Global 5G Growth:
- 5G subscriptions will reach almost 2.3 billion by the end of 2024, making up 25% of all global mobile subscriptions.
- 5G is expected to overtake 4G subscriptions globally by 2027.
- Middle East & North Africa (MENA):
- Mobile subscriptions in MENA will grow by 2% annually from 2024 to 2030, reaching 830 million.
- 5G adoption in MENA will grow rapidly, with 60% of total subscriptions expected to be 5G by 2030.
- 4G subscriptions will make up 37% of total subscriptions by 2030, while 2G and 3G networks will decline as they are phased out to free up spectrum for 4G and 5G.
- 5G Standalone (SA) and Advanced Networks:
- Communications service providers (CSPs) will focus on deploying 5G Standalone (SA) and 5G Advanced networks throughout the decade.
- By 2030, 60% of global 5G subscriptions are expected to be 5G SA.
- The first 6G deployments are expected around 2030, leveraging the capabilities of 5G SA and Advanced networks.
- Stc Case Study:
- The report includes a case study on stc (Saudi Telecom) showcasing their multi-New Radio (NR) carrier strategy to enhance 5G performance, expand coverage, and increase capacity using carrier aggregation.
- Stc’s approach, which began in 2020, focuses on using Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) and Time Division Duplex (TDD) aggregation to improve 5G network capabilities.
- Fixed Wireless Access (FWA):
- Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) continues to grow and is now the second-largest 5G use case globally, after enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB).
- AI & Mobile Traffic Growth:
- AI applications, including Generative AI, are already integrated into smartphones, laptops, and other devices, and could significantly impact uplink and downlink network traffic, potentially driving higher mobile traffic than current predictions.
- Report Availability:
- The full Ericsson Mobility Report (November 2024 edition) can be downloaded here.
For more insights, join the Ericsson Mobility Report Online Seminars on December 3, 2024 at 09:00 CET and 18:00 CET. Registration is available here.