Key Takeaways
- Global 5G connections surpassed 2.6 billion in Q2 2025, with projections nearing 9 billion by 2030.
- North America leads in 5G adoption, achieving 339 million connections and averaging 111 GB of data usage per user per month.
- 5G is vital for the Internet of Things, with global IoT connections expected to grow from 3.8 billion to 5 billion by 2030.
5G Growth Surge Continues
Data from 5G Americas and Omdia reveals that global 5G connections reached over 2.6 billion in Q2 2025, marking a remarkable 37 percent increase from the previous year. This figure is projected to rise to nearly 9 billion by 2030, which would equate to about 60 percent of all global wireless connections. Alongside this, global cellular data consumption surged by 15 percent year-over-year, hitting 384 million terabytes (TB) in the same quarter. This considerable uptick underscores the growing demand for advanced connectivity, which fuels diverse sectors including streaming, gaming, smart factories, and autonomous vehicles.
Viet Nguyen, President of 5G Americas, noted the exceptional momentum of 5G worldwide, especially in North America, where both adoption rates and data use are leading the charge. In Q2 2025, North America accounted for 339 million 5G connections, covering 88 percent of the population and expected to exceed 100 percent coverage before the year ends. The region also recorded an impressive 43 million TB of cellular traffic, translating to an average of 111 GB per user per month—nearly double that of other regions, with Oceania and Eastern & South Eastern Asia averaging 67 GB.
As 5G infrastructure expands and penetration grows, Kristin Paulin, Principal Analyst at Omdia, emphasized that 5G is entering a pivotal phase, serving as the backbone for the Internet of Things (IoT) and digital transformation efforts. Global IoT connections are currently at 3.8 billion and anticipated to hit 5 billion by 2030. The technology is increasingly foundational for essential applications that include:
– Smart factories optimizing production processes.
– Autonomous logistics enhancing supply chain efficiency.
– Energy distribution fostering smarter energy grids.
– Healthcare initiatives enabling telemedicine and remote monitoring.
As of September 15, 2025, the landscape for network deployments shows a total of 373 global 5G networks and 708 4G LTE networks established, with North America having launched 18 of each. This dynamic growth illustrates the transformative impact that 5G is having on various sectors and its potential to drive future innovations.
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