KUALA LUMPUR: Nearly one-third of all mobile users, or about 2.9 billion people, are expected to be on the fifth-generation wireless cellular technology (5G) by the end of 2025, according to telecommunication and technology company Ericsson.
In its June 2025 Ericsson Mobility Report, the company noted that 5G networks accounted for 35 per cent of global mobile traffic by the end of 2024, with forecasts indicating that this figure will exceed 80 per cent by 2030.
In the Southeast Asia and Oceania region, the report said 5G subscriptions are projected to reach around 630 million in 2030, contributing around 49 per cent of total mobile subscriptions in the region.
Data traffic per smartphone is expected to rise from 19 gigabytes (GB) per month in 2024 to 38 GB per month by 2030.
Meanwhile, the report noted that the number of 4G subscriptions continues to decline globally as users migrate to 5G, with a drop of 55 million in the first quarter of 2025, bringing the total to just below 4.9 billion.
Ericsson Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh head David Hägerbro said Digital Nasional Bhd's intelligent, future-proof network forms the backbone of Malaysia’s 5G-driven growth and digital transformation.
"It is vital that the momentum continues to grow. Malaysia already has a head start in becoming the leading digital economy in ASEAN and must ensure that its 5G digital infrastructure remains open to an ecosystem that is conducive to global investments and innovation," he said.
The report also stated that 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) is expected to make up more than 35 per cent of new global connections, with the number of connections projected to reach 350 million by 2030-more than double the current figure.
5G FWA plays a crucial role in expanding broadband access, particularly in areas where traditional wired infrastructure is less feasible, as it enables rapid deployment by leveraging existing mobile infrastructure that already covers 90 per cent of the world’s population.
"The mix of fibre, 5G FWA and satellite technologies will be crucial in meeting the connectivity needs of an increasingly digital world as we approach 2030," the report said.
Since its launch in 2011, the Ericsson Mobility Report has served as a key industry reference for network data, performance, statistics, and forecasts. - Bernama
