Report

Global 5G services market is projected to witness a CAGR of 39.05% during the forecast period 2024-2031, growing from USD 90.35 billion in 2023 to USD 1262.69 billion in 2031. The 5G service market is expanding rapidly as it has covered more than 1.5 billion connections worldwide in 2023, as stated by the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) Association. 5G has become the fastest-growing mobile broadband technology in history. However, this notable progress is the result of a growing divide among high-income countries and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in the digital sector. 5G is quickly advancing in high-income regions, where it has the potential to have a significant impact on digital transformation and stimulate economic activity.
There are initiatives to make 5G cheaper in comparison to 4G. Although, consumers had access to 100 GB of 5G data per month for less than 2% of monthly income. Furthermore, most new smartphones were priced above USD 500 in high-income countries, while in emerging markets, two-thirds were sold for less than USD 250, underscoring the importance of affordable 5G devices for broader adoption.
For instance, in May 2024, AT&T Inc. launched AT&T Turbo, a wireless feature offering customers enhanced data connectivity and real-time responsiveness for gaming and live video, marking a key step in modernizing its mobile network.
Transforming Transportation Systems Propel Growth in 5G Services Market
The 5G services market is fueled by the transformation of transportation systems owing to technological advancements in the transportation sector, such as the prevalence of autonomous vehicles and advanced traffic management systems. 5G connectivity enables advanced use cases like vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, smart cities, and traffic management in real time. The growth of autonomous driving and smart infrastructure has fueled the need for strong 5G networks, which are expanding the 5G services market. In the automotive domain, new capabilities in 5G include quick over-the-air updates, more sophisticated sensors, and varied business models. 5G is critical in transforming transportation, expanding markets, and enabling cities and vehicles to be connected.
For example, in February 2024, Verizon Communications Inc. and Audi AG partnered to build a state-of-the-art private 5G network at Audi's test track in Germany, replicating global network conditions for advanced automotive testing.
Healthcare Advancements Drive the 5G Services Market
Healthcare development is driving the 5G services market owing to real-time telemedicine, remote surgeries, and mobile health applications, which became possible with 5G-enabled, low-latency information delivery and improved patient care and access. The technology allows high-resolution video consultations and transmission of large medical data files, like an MRI scan. Furthermore, remote patient monitoring and smart wearables offer constant health checks to diagnose diseases sooner rather than later. The digital transformation in healthcare makes it essential to use 5G for better service provision and efficiency. The broader scale of 5G networks also directly strengthens and helps to grow healthcare technology and services, speeding up 5G services market demand.
For instance, in February 2024, Vodafone Group Plc expanded its drone project in Germany to include medicine delivery. Vodafone will deliver non-prescription drugs to remote villages by partnering with BP APO Consulting GmbH and utilizing the Drone Cargo Bike Express Delivery (DroLEx) project.
Government Initiatives Act as a Catalyst
The 5G services market profits from governmental initiatives that are creating an environment conducive to network deployment and technology progression, such as the European Union 5G Action Plan, which encourages the deployment of 5G services across member states to increase connectivity. Similarly, the United States National 5G Strategy simplifies regulations and stimulates private investment, while in South Korea, public-private partnerships finance large connectivity projects with the government deploying extensive infrastructure. Furthermore, the Chinese 5G Development Plan subsidizes network expansion across specific regions while fostering localized innovation. These endeavors support accelerated and wider 5G adoption, aid economic progress in all sectors, and encourage advancements resulting in the increasing spread of the 5G services market for better solutions.
For example, in August 2024, AT&T Inc. received over USD 30 million in funding from the California Public Utilities Commission to expand AT&T Fiber to 7,500 locations in Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Mateo Counties, further reducing the digital divide.
Enhanced Mobile Broadband Leading in 5G Services Market
Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) is leading the 5G services market, which offers much faster internet speeds and better connectivity. Enhanced mobile broadband eases high-quality video streaming, augmented live reality games, and immediate cloud applications with a download speed of 20 Gbps. This feature increases user productivity for smartphones, tablets, and at-home network usage. Enhanced mobile broadband can satisfy the requirement of data-intensive applications and services by delivering high capacity using secure connections. This results in improved performance and higher capacity, laying the groundwork for deploying 5G networks globally with a multitude of consumer and business applications.
Asia-Pacific Dominates 5G Services Market
Asia-Pacific is dominating the 5G services market owing to the faster technology adoption and high investments in building its infrastructure. Countries that have started implementing advanced 5G networks and technologies include China, South Korea, and Japan. China benefits from huge government support and investment that can maintain extensive network construction, while South Korea and Japan continue to improve the capabilities of networks. Fast and reliable connectivity is in high demand, with the region boasting a huge population and substantial smartphone penetration. These factors demonstrate Asia-Pacific as a potentially dominant force in the 5G services market.
For instance, in July 2024, China Mobile Communications Group Co., Ltd. released the 5G-A intelligent network service, allowing businesses to leverage AI for dynamic network resource management. The new service enhances user experiences by addressing diverse data service requirements, including low latency and bandwidth assurance.
Future Market Scenario (2024-2031F)
- Global 5G networks will proliferate, giving ultra-fast connectivity and empowering billions of IoT devices to flourish, transforming industries from healthcare to smart cities.
- Autonomous vehicles will become more prevalent, leveraging 5G for real-time communication, reducing accident rates, and facilitating traffic regulation.
- The rise of edge computing will complement 5G, enabling faster data processing at the network edge and supporting applications like AR/VR and industrial automation.
- The media and entertainment industry will deliver 5G experiences like high-definition streaming, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and other rich interactive content.
Key Players Landscape and Outlook
The 5G services market landscape is competitive, with prominent technology vendors, network operators, and infrastructure providers leading in advancements as well as deployments. Leading 5G vendors are looking to extend the network coverage, innovating advanced hardware along with other end-to-end solutions for a range of applications. The market outlook is positive due to large investments in expanding 5G infrastructures and technologies required for high-speed connectivity associated with IoT, smart cities, and autonomous vehicle growth. Prominent players are expected to explore new business strategies to capture market share, enhance service offerings, and collaborate across industries to leverage the full potential of 5G, ensuring continued 5G services market growth and development.
In February 2024, Verizon Communications Inc. and Ericsson AB tested advanced Low-Latency, Low-Loss, Scalable Throughput (L4S) capabilities, enhancing Verizon's 5G network for applications like AR, VR, and interactive video.
In December 2023, SK Telecom Co., Ltd. and Thales Group partnered to deploy Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) on 5G networks, enhancing subscriber protection. The trial utilized Thales 5G PQC SIM cards and SK Telecom's 5G standalone network.