The latest Ericsson Mobility Report (EMR) reveals that Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), driven by 5G, is becoming a major monetization strategy for communication service providers (CSPs) globally. With 5G subscriptions expected to hit 2.9 billion worldwide by the end of 2025, CSPs are increasingly turning to speed-based pricing models to compete with fibre and cable internet offerings.
The report shows that over 80% of global CSPs now offer FWA, with 51% providing speed-tiered plans—up from 40% a year ago. This trend is seeing strong adoption across North America, Europe, and the Middle East. By 2030, FWA is projected to contribute over 35% of all new fixed broadband connections, totalling an estimated 350 million lines.
“Service providers are recognising the full potential of 5G and are beginning to capitalise on it through innovative offerings beyond basic data plans,” said Erik Ekudden, Ericsson’s CTO. “To maximise 5G’s impact, continued deployment of standalone 5G (5G SA) and expansion of mid-band sites is critical.”
India Leads Global 5G Adoption
India is emerging as a global 5G powerhouse, with 290 million 5G users by end-2024, accounting for 24% of the mobile base. This number is expected to surge to 980 million by 2030. With average data usage of 32 GB per user per month—the highest in the world—India is on track to double that to 62 GB by 2030.
India’s 5G momentum is powered by extensive mid-band spectrum coverage, reaching 95% of the population by late 2024. This surpasses Europe’s 50% and aligns with over 90% in North America, enabling Indian operators to deliver high-speed, reliable connectivity across urban and rural regions.
“We’re proud to support India’s digital transformation with a strong 4G and 5G infrastructure, developed in collaboration with leading telecom operators,” said Nitin Bansal, Managing Director, Ericsson India.
Beyond Connectivity: New 5G Use Cases
Globally, CSPs are now leveraging 5G for new use cases in sectors like media broadcasting, retail, gaming, and enterprise productivity. As of the end of 2024, 5G networks carried 35% of global mobile data traffic, a share expected to reach 80% by 2030, underlining 5G’s transformative role in reshaping digital infrastructure worldwide.
