According to Ericsson, the number of 5G mobile subscriptions worldwide will reach 1 billion in 2022. Boosted by operator rollouts, the launch of more compatible handsets and super strong demand in regions such as China and North America, it seems like mass 5G adoption is finally on its way.
However, 5G is the first generation of mobile infrastructure to experience more availability than handset adoption. Continued global chip shortages could put the brakes on 5G, as smartphone manufacturing remains unsteady.
So, will 2022 be the year of 5G?
It seems the answer is yes, as long as technology allows. It’s clear that 5G will become more available this year, but the challenge arises in accessing it. A lack of key smartphone components is set to hamper the rollout, more so for mid to lower end handsets rather than premium ones.
Deloitte predicts the shortage will last until at least the end of 2022, possibly even into 2023. However, others are more optimistic about the market’s prospects. Analyst CCS Insight predicts 5G connections will reach 1 billion by the time we reach 2023.
So, while there may be some bumps in the road to 5G, now is still the time to think about whether you’ll be bringing the technology to your business this year. 5G will be made far more accessible this year, so getting ahead of the curve could help give your business communications a competitive edge.