5G Standalone growth spurs differentiated connectivity services | Computer Weekly

"The November 2025 EMR covers a new forecast timeframe, from 2025 through the end of 2031. EMR researchers identified 118 cases - across 56 CSPs - where network slicing is used to provide differentiated connectivity services. Out of these 118 cases, 65 have moved beyond proof of concept and into commercial services across 33 CSPs. These are either subscription services or add-on packages for consumer or enterprise customers."

"In addition, the study found that more than 90 CSPs have now launched/soft-launched 5G Standalone (5G SA) networks - an increase of about 30 CSPs from the same period last year, and 20 from the June 2025 EMR report. It added that in 2025 alone, 5G subscriptions are expected to top 2.9 billion by the end of the year - equating to around one-third of all current mobile subscriptions - an increase of some 600 million subscriptions year on year."

"In geographical coverage terms, 2025 saw an increase of 400 million people worldwide being able to access 5G. Around half of the global population beyond mainland China is expected to have 5G coverage by the end of 2025. Mobile network data traffic grew 20% between the third quarter of 2024 and the corresponding period in 2025, which Ericsson said was a slightly larger-than-expected increase, driven by mainland China and India."

118 network-slicing cases across 56 CSPs were identified, with 65 moving into commercial services across 33 CSPs and 21 launches in 2025. More than 90 CSPs have launched or soft-launched 5G Standalone networks, an increase of about 30 year-on-year and 20 since June 2025. 5G subscriptions are projected to reach 2.9 billion by end-2025, roughly one-third of all mobile subscriptions, adding about 600 million year-on-year. Global 5G coverage expanded by 400 million people in 2025, with roughly half the global population beyond mainland China expected to have 5G coverage by year-end. Mobile data traffic grew 20% year-on-year in Q3 2025 and is forecast to average 16% annual growth through 2031, with 5G handling 43% of mobile data by close of 2025.

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