5G connections will comprise more than half (51%) of all global mobile connections by 2029, according to new research from GSMA Intelligence (GSMAi). Increasingly, the networks are based on standalone 5G (5G SA).
Standalone 5G networks do not rely on previous-generation technology but instead have a dedicated core network. They support certain capabilities not available with non-standalone 5G networks.
As of the first month of this year, 261 operators in 101 countries had launched commercial 5G services, and at least 90 operators from 64 markets had committed to rollouts, the researchers said. Forty-seven of the 261 commercial services are provided via 5G SA networks. Another 89 5G SA deployments are planned.
One key driver of 5G SA deployments is network slicing. Slicing enables providers to offer tailored services to customers with different performance parameters to support different applications such as internet of things or videoconferencing applications.
Other key 5G SA drivers include a simplified network architecture and “ultra-reliable low-latency communications,” GSMAi said.
The availability of 5G SA networks, as well as more private and dedicated networks, is expected to fuel strong connected device adoption. A ”massive number of connected devices” are expected, GSMAi said.
There currently exist 10.7 billion IoT connections in the enterprise segment, according to GSMAi data. Enterprise connections are expected to more than double to 38.5 billion by 2030. A big chunk of those originate from smart buildings and smart manufacturing, which account for 34% and 16% of total enterprise connections, respectively.
“The early success of 5G was driven by enhanced mobile broadband (EMBB) and EMBB-related network traffic requirements,” said Peter Jarich, head of GSMAi, in a prepared statement about the 5G mobile connections research. “Yet, while consumer requirements will continue their trajectory, we’re now seeing use cases beyond that.”
“Opportunities are now appearing in areas including API monetization and 5G RedCap for enterprise IoT – all supported by 5G-Advanced and 5G SA networks. 5G SA brings home 5G’s early promise, particularly where slicing, low-latency and massive IoT capabilities tied to enterprise service needs can be met. 5G-Advanced will only extend that further.”
In terms of sheer numbers, 5G connections surpassed 1 billion at the end of 2022, rose to 1.6 billion at the end of 2023, and are expected to reach 5.5 billion connections by 2030, GSMAi said.