Q1 Global 5G Connections Near 300M: 5G Americas

Global 5G connections reached 298 million in Q1, adding 79 million sequentially, said 5G Americas. It cited Omdia, which previously reported global 5G connections reached 401 million at Dec. 31 but revised that due to “specific improved clarity from one large country in the Asia-Pacific.” The association didn’t comment Thursday. 5G connections added this year are triple the year-ago period, said 5G Americas. Uptake is “progressing everywhere as deployments, connections, coverage and the number of devices continue to grow,” said President Chris Pearson, saying estimates “are being adjusted based on new information,” as 5G builds through new applications and uses. Nine 5G networks went live worldwide in Q1, bringing the total to 172, 5G Americas said, citing TeleGeography. That's expected to reach 273 by year-end, 313 by 2023. Availability of 5G devices is growing, with 511 5G devices available this month, said the Global Mobile Suppliers Association. North America had 28.6 million 5G connections and 502 million LTE connections. The U.S. is driving 5G growth in North America, said Omdia analyst Kristin Paulin: “The major operators have blanketed the US with coverage and are now offering device incentives to further drive growth.” C-band deployments are set to further strengthen 5G offerings early next year, she said.