5G Subscriptions Set to Dominate Mobile Landscape by 2030, Driven by GenAI and FWA

By Ange de la Victoire DUSABEMUNGU

Stockholm, June 24, 2025 – A new Ericsson Mobility Report projects that 5G subscriptions will account for one-third of all mobile subscriptions by the end of 2025, and a staggering two-thirds by 2030. This surge is fueled by advancements in generative AI (GenAI) devices and the robust growth of Fixed Wireless Access (FWA).

During the first quarter of 2025, 145 million 5G subscriptions were added, bringing the global total to over 2.4 billion. The report highlights that 5G is on track to become the dominant mobile access technology by 2027, just nine years after its launch.

Key Forecasts and Trends:

• GenAI Impact: The proliferation of GenAI devices and complex AI applications is driving demand for enhanced uplink capabilities and low latency networks.
• FWA Growth: FWA is projected to constitute over 35% of all new fixed broadband connections by 2030, driven by its rapid deployment capabilities and extensive coverage.
• Regional Leadership: Western Europe is expected to lead in 5G subscription penetration by 2030, with 93% adoption, followed by North America at 91%.
• Data Traffic Surge: Mobile network data traffic continues to grow, expected to more than double in five years. By 2030, total mobile network data traffic is projected to reach 430 EB per month.
• Differentiated Connectivity: Service providers are increasingly exploring innovative use cases and monetization opportunities through differentiated connectivity services, driven by technologies like network slicing.

GenAI’s Role in Network Evolution:

The report explores the impact of GenAI on network data traffic. Although GenAI traffic is currently small, it has a higher uplink distribution compared to typical mobile traffic. The rise of multimodal AI applications is expected to further drive demand for high-performing 5G networks.

FWA: Bridging the Digital Divide:

FWA is experiencing robust growth, offering a flexible and rapid deployment solution. It is projected to account for over 35% of all new fixed broadband connections by 2030.

Service Provider Strategies:

Service providers are beginning to monetize 5G through innovative service offerings that extend beyond traditional data plans. An increasing number are leveraging the new capabilities of 5G standalone (SA) networks to offer differentiated connectivity services to consumers and enterprises.

Challenges and Opportunities:

The report highlights the need for service providers to focus on uplink capabilities and latency to support the growing demands of GenAI devices and AI applications. It also emphasizes the importance of differentiating connectivity services to enable high-quality user experiences for conversational applications.

Erik Ekudden, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Ericsson, notes that “We are at an inflection point, where 5G and the ecosystem are set to unleash a wave of innovation.”

The Ericsson Mobility Report provides valuable insights into the evolving mobile landscape, driven by 5G, GenAI, and FWA, highlighting the challenges and opportunities for service providers as they navigate the next wave of mobile technology.