According to new data from 5G Americas and Omdia, global 5G connections reached 2.4 billion by the end of Q1 2025, with projections estimating that number will rise to 8 billion by 2029. That would represent over 94 percent coverage of the forecasted global population of 8.5 billion.

The current network landscape includes:
5G Networks (as of June 23, 2025):
Global: 366
North America: 18
4G LTE Networks:
Global: 706
North America: 18
Ericsson Mobility Report
The Ericsson Mobility Report – June edition indicated that telecom operators have added 145 million new 5G subscriptions globally, pushing the total to just over 2.4 billion at the end of Q1-2025. 5G is expected to represent one-third of all mobile subscriptions by the end of 2025.
Looking ahead, global 5G subscriptions are projected to rise to 6.3 billion by 2030, making up two-thirds of the total mobile market. The rollout of standalone (SA) 5G networks continues, with SA subscriptions forecast to reach nearly 3.7 billion by 2030, Ericsson Mobility Report said.
Regionally, Western Europe is expected to lead in 5G adoption with a penetration rate of 93 percent by 2030, followed closely by North America at 91 percent and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries at 90 percent, the Ericsson Mobility Report – June edition said.
5G Americas
North America remains at the forefront of this next-generation wireless shift, boasting 314 million 5G connections — representing 83 percent of the region’s population, 5G Americas said. Notably, data traffic across all mobile generations in the region surged to 40 million terabytes, or an average of 104.6 GB per person, significantly outpacing other global regions. Looking ahead, North America’s 5G footprint is forecast to expand to 772 million connections by 2029, equating to a penetration rate of 197 percent.
“This kind of saturation signals not just consumer usage but significant enterprise and IoT growth,” said Viet Nguyen, President of 5G Americas. “North America isn’t just leading in 5G adoption — it’s setting the pace for industrial transformation, innovation, and the future of connectivity.”
Globally, the role of 5G as an enabler of connected ecosystems is becoming increasingly clear. As of Q1 2025, there were 3.7 billion IoT connections worldwide, with expectations to grow to 4.9 billion by 2029. Many of these deployments are leveraging 5G to support mission-critical applications in areas such as smart manufacturing, autonomous transport, energy management, and digital healthcare. The demand for ultra-reliable, low-latency communication is transforming traditional cellular networks into platforms for the digital economy.
“Reaching 2.4 billion 5G connections worldwide demonstrates that 5G is not just a regional wave — it’s a global tidal shift, transforming industries, consumer behavior, and the very fabric of connectivity across continents,” said Kristin Paulin, Principal Analyst at Omdia.
Currently, global 5G penetration sits at around 30 percent, with strong growth expected as network infrastructure matures and device affordability improves — especially in developing markets such as Latin America, Asia, and Africa. With over 366 commercial 5G networks already live — including 18 in North America — the industry is entering a new phase of scale and capability. Standalone 5G deployments are gaining momentum, particularly with increased utilization of mid-band spectrum, which offers a balance of speed and coverage.
Baburajan Kizhakedath