5G Dominates Data: Ericsson Report Highlights FWA and Standalone Growth

• A new Ericsson Mobility Report projects 5G subscriptions to hit 2.9 billion globally by year-end, handling 80% of mobile data by 2030.
• Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) is rapidly expanding, offering broadband without physical cables, driving new revenue streams for providers.

The Ascendance of 5G and FWA

The latest Ericsson Mobility Report paints a clear picture of 5G’s rapid expansion and its increasing dominance in the global telecommunications landscape. By the close of this year, worldwide 5G subscriptions are projected to reach 2.9 billion, representing a significant one-third of all mobile subscriptions. This impressive growth trajectory is set to continue, with forecasts indicating that 5G networks will manage a staggering 80 percent of global mobile data traffic by 2030. This underlines the pivotal role 5G is playing in shaping future connectivity.

A key highlight of the report is the burgeoning popularity of Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), commonly known as home mobile broadband. This technology provides stable and high-speed internet services without the need for extensive physical cable infrastructure, mirroring the performance of wired networks. Notably, packages offering guaranteed download and upload speeds, powered by 5G technology, are in particularly high demand.

Globally, a remarkable 80 percent of service providers surveyed by Ericsson now offer FWA-based internet, with speed-based subscriptions showing the fastest growth. This allows providers to offer tiered packages similar to fiber or cable, creating substantial new revenue streams. The adoption of speed-based FWA packages has surged by 27.5 percent since June 2024, building on a robust 50 percent increase from June 2023. By 2030, FWA is expected to account for 35 percent of all fixed internet subscriptions, translating to 350 million FWA connections worldwide.

Data Traffic Soars, Regional Disparities Persist

While the rate of 5G growth may be stabilizing, the absolute volume of data usage continues to surge. Mobile network data traffic saw a 19 percent year-on-year increase from Q1 2024 to Q1 2025. Despite a slowing growth rate, the Ericsson Mobility Report predicts that global mobile data traffic will more than double by the end of 2030. At the close of last year, 5G networks were already handling 35 percent of global mobile data traffic, a figure set to exceed 80 percent within the next five years.

Geographical disparities in 5G rollout remain evident. In Europe, 5G mid-band network coverage reached 50 percent of the population by the end of 2024, aligning with the global average. However, this lags significantly behind leading regions like North America, where mid-band 5G coverage exceeds 90 percent, and India, which achieved an impressive 95 percent by the end of 2024. Central and Eastern Europe are progressing at a slower pace in 5G adoption and infrastructure deployment, partly due to delays in spectrum allocations. Despite this, several countries in the region, including Hungary, are accelerating 5G developments driven by increasing demand.

The Future: Standalone 5G and New Revenue Models

The report delves into how standalone (SA) 5G networks and the forthcoming 5G Advanced technology are unlocking new monetization opportunities for service providers. These next-generation networks allow providers to move beyond simply charging for data volume, instead focusing on value-added services tailored to residential, enterprise, and public administration users. Case studies, market examples, and partner experiences within the report demonstrate how differentiated services are being offered across various application areas. These include broadcasting and video production, point-of-sale systems, event and stadium services, cloud gaming, enhanced FWA, virtual private networks (VPNs), and solutions aimed at boosting enterprise efficiency.

Erik Ekudden, Ericsson’s Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, states that the industry is at a “turning point,” on the cusp of an “enormous wave of innovation” driven by 5G. He highlights that the rapid evolution of standalone 5G networks and compatible devices has fostered an ecosystem that opens new avenues for creative, network-based solutions. While service providers recognize 5G’s potential, scaling up requires further deployment of dedicated networks and increasing the density of mid-band stations. Standalone network capabilities are poised to act as catalysts for significant new business growth, moving beyond traditional data-centric models.