The November 2023 release of the Ericsson Mobility Report predicts that by 2029, 5G access will reach 85% of the world’s population, with Africa taking the lead in this advancement. According to the report, 4G subscriptions are expected to constitute 49% of the total by 2029, while 2G subscriptions will maintain a significant share at 27%, primarily due to the region’s predominantly rural population. Fixed Wireless Access is emerging as a crucial technology to meet Africa’s rising broadband needs, with key markets like South Africa, Angola, Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia, and Zimbabwe already rolling out 5G FWA services. Ericsson’s report projects a substantial surge in global 5G subscriptions, with estimates indicating a more than 330% increase from 1.6 billion to 5.3 billion between the end of 2023 and 2029. By the end of 2023, 5G coverage is expected to reach over 45% of the global population, rising to 85% by the end of 2029.
