Latin America. In the first quarter of 2023, 5G adoption continued to set a strong pace, putting the fifth generation of wireless cellular technology on track to add nearly one billion new connections per year.
Data from Omdia and 5G Americas, the voice of 5G and subsequent generations across the Americas, points to strong penetration in the North American market, as new 5G network developments accelerate around the world.
Chris Pearson, President of 5G Americas, said, "With North American 5G networks active, we are experiencing a strong 5G subscription cycle in the United States and Canada. At the same time, other markets for 5G are emerging, creating the potential for billions of new 5G connections. Key players in the ecosystem will play a huge role in providing new technological features and capabilities to realize the promise of 5G around the world."
Omdia's latest data reveals significant progress in 5G after adding 157 million additional 5G connections worldwide between Q4 2022 and Q1 2023. This spike in adoption creates the framework for even faster growth throughout 2023, with the number of global 5G connections projected to approach the 2 billion milestone. The forecast shows an extraordinary trajectory, with 5G connections predicted to reach a staggering 6800 million by the end of 2027. This translates into an average annual growth of nearly one billion new connections, underscoring the unprecedented scale and impact of 5G technology.
North America continues to assert its leadership in 5G wireless connectivity, while sustained adoption fuels additional demand for better 5G network services. At the end of Q1 2023, the region boasted impressive numbers: 133 million 5G connections and a staggering 503 million LTE connections. The penetration rate of 5G in the North American market is climbing steadily, and currently stands at nearly 36 percent, after 14 million new 5G connections were activated during the first quarter of 2023.
In Latin America and the Caribbean, 4G LTE networks continue to demonstrate resilience and robust growth in Q1 2023. The region set a formidable record of 553 million 4G LTE connections, reflecting quarterly growth of 2.1 percent, and the equivalent of 11 million new LTE subscriptions. In addition, by the end of 2023, the region is projected to quadruple its number of 5G connections to reach 62 million. It is estimated that the region will reach 407 million 5G connections by 2027.
According to José Otero, Vice President of 5G Americas for the Caribbean and Latin America: "5G and LTE mobile wireless technology continue to advance and constitute the basis of broadband connectivity in the region. Recent spectrum allocation processes in Guatemala, Peru and Uruguay show the interest of governments in the region to expand LTE and work to enable the growth of 5G in their markets. As more allocation processes occur and 5G terminals become accessible to the mass market, 5G will become a reality for many subscribers in the region."
In total, the number of commercial 5G networks in the world reached 267, according to data from TeleGeography and 5G Americas. This figure is expected to reach 386 by the end of 2023 and 413 by the end of 2025, representing strong growth in investments in 5G networks in many regions of the world. The following summarizes the number of 4G 5G and LTE network deployments as of June 15, 2023:
5G:
Overall: 267
North America: 14
Caribbean and Latin America: 28
4G LTE:
Global: 703
North America: 17
Caribbean and Latin America: 129
