Ericsson’s latest Mobility Report says mobile data traffic has increased 300 times since 2011, with 5.5 billion new phones coming online worldwide. The company underlines that 4G LTE networks have a very important role in reaching these statistics. For sure, the adoption of 5G in recent years has also caused mobile data traffic to explode.
Ericsson also states that the technology lifecycle of 5G devices is faster than 4G. While 23% of phones worldwide currently support 5G, only 8% of devices were 4G capable at a similar point in their lifecycle. With higher speeds, people create more data traffic. For example, in the third quarter, mobile data traffic increased by 42% compared to the same period of the previous year.
Commenting on the findings, Fredrik Jejdling, Ericsson Vice President and Head of Networks, said: “Mobile communications have had an incredible impact on society and business over the past decade. As we look to 2027, mobile networks are more integrated than ever before in how we interact, live and work. Our latest Ericsson Mobility Report shows that the pace of change is accelerating as technology plays a crucial role.”
By 2027, Ericsson’s projections predict that 5G will be more common than 4G and will be used in approximately 50% of mobile subscriptions worldwide. While 50% may seem a bit low considering the current adoption rate, this 50% will actually cover 75% of the world’s population and 62% of global smartphone traffic.
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