Ericsson Mobility Report: Differentiated Connectivity Services Gain Momentum

STOCKHOLM – The rise of 5G Standalone (5G SA) networks is enabling a surge in differentiated connectivity services, according to the latest Ericsson Mobility Report (EMR) released in November 2025. These services, offered by a growing number of communications service providers (CSPs), leverage 5G SA Network Slicing to guarantee quality of service for specific customer use cases by allocating dedicated network resources.

The report highlights that over 90 CSPs have now deployed or are in the process of deploying 5G SA networks, marking a significant increase from the previous year. This infrastructure upgrade is a key driver for offering enhanced and tailored connectivity solutions.

Specifically, Ericsson’s research identified 118 instances across 56 CSPs where network slicing is being utilized to deliver differentiated connectivity. This allows service providers to move beyond simple data volume packages and offer solutions targeted to specific industries or applications.

Of these 118 cases, 65 have transitioned from proof-of-concept to commercial services, offered by 33 CSPs. These commercial offerings are structured as subscription services or add-on packages, catering to both consumer and enterprise clients. Notably, almost a third of these offerings (21 out of 65) were launched within 2025 itself. This rapid transition indicates a strong market appetite for the benefits of 5G SA’s capabilities.

Ericsson CTO Erik Ekudden notes, “Service providers globally are actively deploying 5G SA to offer value-added services, not just basic data packages. The case studies we’ve included in this EMR demonstrate the tangible opportunities for differentiated connectivity. The shift from proof-of-concept to commercial deployment has been significant in 2025 alone, and we expect this trend to accelerate.”

The November 2025 EMR provides a new forecast spanning from 2025 to the end of 2031, offering insights into the future of mobile communication.

The report anticipates initial commercial deployments of 6G technology during this period, driven by front-runner markets like the U.S., Japan, South Korea, China, India, and select Gulf Cooperation Council countries. These regions are expected to lead in the adoption of the next-generation network.

Global 6G subscriptions are projected to reach 180 million by the end of 2031, excluding the early adoption of AI-powered Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Earlier launches than current forecasts could significantly increase this number.

Europe is predicted to witness commercial 6G deployment approximately one year later than other regions, primarily due to relatively later 5G SA deployments compared to other regions.

Enhanced mobile broadband is forecast to reach 6.4 billion 5G subscriptions by the end of 2031, constituting roughly two-thirds of all mobile subscriptions. Approximately 4.1 billion of these subscriptions (around 65 percent) are projected to be 5G SA. This growth is not just about speed; it’s about the capacity and low latency that unlocks new applications in areas such as augmented reality, virtual reality, and enhanced video streaming.

5G subscriptions are anticipated to exceed 2.9 billion by the end of 2025, representing about one-third of all current mobile subscriptions, with an annual increase of approximately 600 million subscriptions. That’s an impressive growth rate, fueled by device availability and expanded network coverage.

In terms of geographical reach, around 400 million more people gained access to 5G globally in 2025. It’s anticipated that nearly 50 percent of the global population outside of mainland China will have 5G coverage by the end of the year. This widespread expansion is crucial for 5G to fulfill its promises of transformative connectivity. However, the digital divide remains a concern, and ensuring equitable access is paramount.

Mobile network data traffic saw a 20 percent increase between Q3 2024 and Q3 2025, exceeding expectations, largely due to growth in China and India. The EMR projects continued growth at an average of 16 percent annually through 2031, underscoring consumers’ insatiable demand for bandwidth-intensive applications.

By the end of 2025, 5G networks are forecast to manage 43 percent of all mobile data traffic, a significant increase from 34 percent in the same period last year. EMR experts anticipate this figure will climb to 83 percent by 2031, demonstrating the increasing dominance of 5G in the mobile ecosystem and the declining reliance on legacy 4G networks. This shift will require careful network optimization and intelligent traffic management to maintain user experience.

Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) continues its upward trajectory as a significant 5G use case. The November 2025 EMR estimates that approximately 1.4 billion people globally will have access to FWA broadband by the end of 2031, with 90 percent utilizing 5G. This growth underscores the significant potential of FWA to bring high-speed internet to underserved areas, competing with traditional cable and fiber options. The economics of FWA, particularly in rural areas, provide a compelling business case for service providers.

The study identified 159 providers currently offering FWA services via 5G, representing approximately 65 percent of the total FWA service provider landscape. Moreover, the number of service providers offering speed-based tariffs – a common monetization strategy for fixed broadband – has risen from 43 percent to 54 percent since the November 2024 EMR. This suggests a maturation of the FWA market and a growing confidence in its ability to deliver consistent, high-speed performance.

The 36-page November 2025 EMR also features co-written use-case articles from:

• Singtel: 5G SA providing tailored experiences.
• Softbank: modernizing enterprise IT with 5G.
• SailGP: enhancing operations and viewer experiences with 5G.