5G Subscriptions Reach 3.1 Billion Worldwide as Africa Looks to Adopt More

Ericsson’s June 2026 Mobility Report says that global 5G mobile subscriptions hit 3.1 billion in the first quarter of 2026. This shows that more people want advanced connectivity around the world.

The report from Ericsson, released on Tuesday, revealed that 162 million new 5G subscriptions were added in the quarter. This pushed global adoption past the 3 billion mark.

The report predicts that global 5G subscriptions will more than double to 6.4 billion by 2031. This growth is linked to the expansion of network coverage and device availability.

“For Africa, the findings show opportunities to speed up broadband access, digital inclusion, and business connectivity through increased 5G adoption,” the report said.

The Ericsson report matches industry data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The NCC reported that Nigeria’s 5G penetration kept increasing in the first quarter of 2026.

NCC statistics showed that 5G penetration reached 4.20 percent in March 2026, up from 4.06 percent in February. This shows a steady demand for faster internet and better network performance.

The growth builds on the momentum seen at the beginning of the year. In January 2026, 5G penetration was at 3.94 percent.

The data also showed that the month-on-month increase highlights the gradual growth of 5G infrastructure by mobile network operators. More subscribers are also using 5G-enabled devices.

The Ericsson report noted that about 390 service providers have launched commercial 5G services globally. More than 90 operators have also started using 5G Standalone (SA) networks.

5G networks carried 48 percent of global mobile data traffic by the end of 2025. They are expected to handle 85 percent of it by 2031.

“Regions expected to see the highest adoption levels by 2031 include Western Europe, North America, North East Asia, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

“Yet, Africa is among the regions where Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) growth is slow, despite strong long-term potential.

“Wider deployment of 5G infrastructure and supportive policies can create big opportunities across the continent,” the Ericsson report stated.

The report showed that there is rising commercial use of different connectivity services enabled by 5G SA network slicing technology. The number of these services grew from 65 in November 2025 to 84 globally. This shows a shift from early trials to regular use.

Ericsson's Chief Technology Officer, Erik Ekudden, commented that mobile networks are changing into smart digital infrastructure. Mr Ekudden said that physical artificial intelligence would change traffic patterns as AI becomes part of devices, vehicles, and smart cities.

He mentioned that the growing use of 5G SA and network slicing helps operators meet various connectivity needs. The report also pointed out rising interest in 5G-powered fixed wireless access as operators look for new ways to earn money.

Ericsson noted that 71 percent of FWA providers now offer services over 5G, up from 57 percent a year earlier. Also, 57 percent of operators now provide speed-based tariff plans, up from 51 percent in June 2025.

The report also highlighted new 5G FWA launches in Algeria, Argentina, Bangladesh, Morocco, Taiwan, Türkiye, and Vietnam during the review period.

Ericsson said FWA adoption is strongest in North America, Nordic countries, GCC markets, and some parts of Asia. The report revealed changes in network usage patterns. Uplink traffic is growing faster than downlink traffic.

This trend is due to more people using collaboration apps, cloud storage, and sharing content through smartphones. Ericsson's network measurements showed that 43 of 55 service providers had faster uplink growth than downlink traffic.

Seventeen operators reported uplink traffic growth rates that were more than 1.5 times those of downlink traffic. The company expects that AI-related applications could push uplink traffic volumes to over three times 2025 levels by 2031.

“Network data traffic, covering both mobile broadband and FWA services, rose by 22 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026. This growth was driven mainly by strong demand in India and North America,” the report noted.

The report also mentioned growing interest in sixth-generation, or 6G, mobile technology. According to Ericsson, talks about standardization have begun, with integrated sensing and communication expected to be a key feature.

Other expected capabilities include better coverage and stronger energy efficiency. The report said AI will be a key part of future 6G networks and services.

Ericsson expects the first usable 6G specifications to be ready by late 2028 or early 2029. They predict commercial 6G deployments to begin around 2030, with the United States, China, Japan, South Korea, and GCC countries leading the way.

Ericsson said that the findings stress the need for African countries to increase their investments in digital infrastructure to stay competitive in the new AI-driven economy.