Ericsson Mobility Report update: Global 5G subscriptions close to 1.3 billion in Q2 2023

India continues to lead the world in 5G subscription growth rate with more than seven million of the 175 million global subscriptions added between April and June (the second financial quarter – Q2) 2023 accounted for in the country, the August 31 Ericsson Mobility Report update shows.

The Q2 additions bring the global number of 5G subscriptions close to 1.3 billion. About 260 communications service providers (CSPs) have launched commercial 5G services. About 35 CSPs have launched 5G standalone (SA) networks.

China had the second highest country growth rate with more than five million 5G additions during Q2, followed by the United States of America with more than three million 5G subscription additions.

The four-page August 31 update is an addendum to the full edition of the Ericsson Mobility Report, published in June 2023. It focuses on recent updates to the quarterly subscription and traffic data sections.

Other information in the Q2 update includes:

• In Q2 2023, the number of mobile subscriptions totalled 8.3 billion, with a net addition of 40 million subscriptions during the quarter. The number of unique mobile subscribers is 6.1 billion.
• Global mobile subscription penetration was 105 percent.
• The number of mobile broadband subscriptions grew by about 100 million in the quarter, totalling 7.4 billion, a year-on-year increase of five percent. Mobile broadband now accounts for 88 percent of all mobile subscriptions.
• Mobile data traffic grew by 33 percent between Q2 2022 and Q2 2023.
• 4G subscriptions increased by 11 million, totalling about 5.2 billion and representing 62 percent of all mobile subscriptions.
• WCDMA/HSPA subscriptions declined by 85 million and GSM/EDGE-only subscriptions dropped by 59 million during the quarter. Other technologies fell by about two million.

For detailed insights into how 5G is poised to help the industry grow, download the report.