Global 5G Subscriptions Surpass 3 Billion as Uplink Traffic Surges and 6G Standardisation Begins

Brickinfo News Agency – Global 5G mobile subscriptions crossed the three billion mark in the first quarter of 2026, driven by an addition of 162 million new connections. According to the June 2026 Ericsson Mobility Report, this global momentum is accompanied by a significant shift in data usage, with uplink traffic growth outpacing downlink for numerous service providers. In Thailand, 5G connections are projected to experience exponential growth, rising from 33 million at the end of 2025 to 93 million subscriptions by 2031, which will account for 92 percent of the country’s total mobile market.

The rapid expansion of 5G infrastructure has seen 390 service providers launch commercial 5G services globally to date, with more than 90 of those deployments utilizing 5G Standalone (SA) networks. By the end of 2025, 5G networks handled 48 percent of all global mobile data traffic, a figure forecasted to reach 85 percent by the end of 2031. Advanced markets, including Western Europe, North America, Northeast Asia, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, are expected to see 5G adoption rates near or exceed 90 percent within the same timeframe. Meanwhile, the broader Southeast Asia and Oceania region is projected to reach approximately 670 million 5G subscriptions, achieving a penetration rate above 50 percent.

This network expansion is directly influencing data consumption patterns, with uplink traffic growing faster than downlink for most telecommunications providers. Ericsson’s network measurements across 55 service providers revealed that 43 experienced higher uplink growth rates, with 17 reporting uplink growth that was more than 1.5 times higher than downlink. The trend is currently driven by smartphone communication, collaboration applications, user-generated content, and cloud storage. Looking forward, modeling suggests that the integration of artificial intelligence could push uplink traffic to levels three times higher or more by 2031 compared to 2025 data.

“Thailand is entering a new phase of data consumption, driven by AI applications, real-time collaboration, and user-generated content, which are accelerating the shift toward more uplink-intensive traffic patterns,” said Anders Rian, Head of Ericsson Thailand. “As highlighted in the latest Ericsson Mobility Report, this fundamental change means networks must evolve from best-effort connectivity into intelligent infrastructure capable of supporting continuous, high-performance data flows. To support this transformation, it is essential to continue investing in high-quality mid-band spectrum, particularly in the 3.5 GHz range, alongside accelerating 5G Standalone deployment. These capabilities enable differentiated connectivity through network slicing, allowing operators to deliver guaranteed performance for specific applications and unlock new opportunities across both consumer and enterprise segments in Thailand’s AI-driven economy.”

The global commercialization of differentiated connectivity service offerings based on 5G SA network slicing is also scaling up, growing from 65 offerings in November 2025 to 84 in the June 2026 report. This technology allows operators to secure specific slices of a network to guarantee quality of service for distinct use cases.

“With the upcoming transition to physical AI, traffic patterns will fundamentally shift as we move from centralized models in data centers to distributed, autonomous AI agents embedded across our device vehicles and cities, commonly connected by 5G,” stated Erik Ekudden, EMR publisher and CTO at Ericsson. “Mobile networks are no longer only about providing best-effort connectivity, they are becoming critical, intelligent infrastructure that meets diverse application needs. Reflecting part of this shift is the continued rise in new commercial service offerings based on 5G standalone network slicing and the number of communications service providers deploying 5G SA.”

Rian further noted the local impact of these technologies, stating, “We are at an inflection point, where 5G and the ecosystem are set to unleash the next wave of innovation in the country. 5G Standalone and AI-driven automation will serve as the foundation for enterprise digitalization in Thailand.”

On a broader scale, total network data traffic—encompassing both mobile and Fixed Wireless Access (FWA)—grew by 22 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026, propelled largely by strong demand in India and North America. Simultaneously, the telecommunications industry has initiated standardization discussions for 6G networks. Early frameworks for 6G prioritize energy efficiency, AI-native design, integrated sensing and communication (ISAC), and the seamless integration of terrestrial and satellite networks. The first implementable 6G specifications are anticipated by late 2028 or early 2029, with commercial rollouts expected around 2030 led by early adopters including the US, China, Japan, South Korea, and the GCC nations.