The latest telecom statistics from 5G Americas clearly highlights the slow adoption of 5G compared to LTE (4G) on a global scale.
While LTE deployments stand at a strong 706, 5G lags significantly behind with only 354 deployments, showing that it has not yet reached the level of widespread availability that 4G has achieved. This gap is evident across all regions.
Africa, for instance, has 163 LTE deployments but only 47 for 5G, suggesting that 5G penetration is struggling to keep up.
Similarly, in Asia, LTE has 135 deployments while 5G has just 71, reinforcing the notion that 5G is trailing behind.
Europe, one of the most developed markets, shows a contrast with 168 LTE deployments compared to only 121 for 5G.
Latin America, the Middle East, and Oceania follow the same pattern, where 5G numbers remain significantly lower than LTE.
Even in the US & Canada, where technological advancements are expected to be at the forefront, LTE and 5G are tied at only 18 deployments, indicating stagnation rather than progress. These figures expose a fundamental issue — despite the hype around 5G, it has not been able to match the reach and adoption of LTE, making its impact questionable at this stage.
While 5G connections have reached 2.25 billion worldwide, four times faster than 4G’s adoption in a similar timeframe, the question remains: is it being driven more by industry hype and aggressive marketing rather than genuine demand? The push for 5G has led to enormous infrastructure investments, but the actual return on investment remains questionable, as many users still struggle to notice a significant difference in their everyday experiences compared to 4G LTE.
Despite industry claims about innovation, the necessity of such rapid 5G deployment is debatable. The technology has yet to deliver on many of its most promises, such as widespread ultra-low latency applications and seamless integration with AI-powered smart cities.
Many areas still lack reliable 4G coverage, yet resources are being funneled into pushing 5G connectivity, sometimes at the expense of maintaining and improving existing LTE networks. North America, for instance, has reached parity between 4G and 5G networks, but this also reflects the push to replace LTE rather than a clear, demonstrated need for 5G on such a scale.
The cost of upgrading to 5G-compatible devices, coupled with premium pricing structures in many regions, creates a digital divide, where those unable to afford the latest technology are left behind.
Meanwhile, 4G LTE remains the dominant mobile technology in many parts of the world, such as Latin America, where it still accounts for 74 percent of all wireless connections. The insistence on prioritizing 5G over expanding and improving existing LTE networks may ultimately hinder rather than enhance global connectivity.
The infrastructure required for 5G — densely packed small cells, increased energy consumption, and frequent hardware upgrades — raises sustainability issues that the industry often downplays. With 8.3 billion 5G connections projected by 2029, the environmental footprint of this technology will only grow, exacerbating concerns about e-waste and increased energy demands.
5G raises questions about whether it enhances connectivity or simply prioritizes corporate interests over consumer needs, affordability, and sustainability. The push to outpace 4G adoption might serve industry milestones, but it does not necessarily translate into improvements for users. 5G has been available for users for several years. But most telecom operators are not celebrating their 5G milestones or 5G-driven ARPUs.
Baburajan Kizhakedath
