5G is on the verge of reaching a significant milestone. According to Ericsson‘s latest mobility report, there will be 1 billion 5G subscribers worldwide by the end of 2018. This is still a long way from 4G, which is expected to have 5 billion subscribers by 2022.
According to Ericsson, 4G will reach its peak in the coming year, and 5G will race to replace it. Although faster speeds are possible for many people, they will almost certainly be more expensive.
For the past three years, American carriers have claimed 5G supremacy. By the end of 2022, it will be used by approximately 35% of all mobile subscribers. The good news is that mid-band 5G (the good stuff) now has 80% coverage, which is fantastic for Americans.
The mid-band provides a sweet spot for wide coverage and much faster speeds than LTE connections. Ericsson also sees a trend in 5G where carriers charge a premium for faster speeds, which is unlikely to change anytime soon.
Ericsson’s report on higher prices focuses primarily on Western Europe. Different speed tiers for wireless connections are more common in that region. According to Ericsson:
There are 25 percent who charge a premium for 5G, over their 4G service, with an average price premium of around 40 percent. This pricing strategy is gaining momentum, and now 24 percent of those with a 5G offering use it to segment the market and motivate consumers to move up to higher-priced tiers.
In short, expect more 5G coverage around the world in 2023, but be prepared to pay a premium for it. According to IT and Telecommunications Minister Syed Amin ul Haq, this will be available in Pakistan by July 2023. That is, if the launch isn’t postponed for the nth time.
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