Global 5G connections reach 2.25 billion by end of 2024

Global 5G connections reached 2.25 billion at the end of 2024, according to a report from 5G Americas and Omdia. This growth illustrates a substantial increase in 5G adoption, which now expands four times quicker than 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) did during its early years. By 2024, projections indicate that the world will have 1.5 wireless connections per person, an uptick from one connection per person in 2014. Experts forecast that 5G connections may hit 8.3 billion by 2029, representing 59 percent of all global wireless technologies. In parallel, the Internet of Things (IoT) market added 438 million new connections in 2024, bringing the total number to 3.6 billion. North America held a leading position, closing the year with 289 million 5G connections, marking a 67 percent increase year-over-year. This accounts for 77 percent of the region's population, significantly surpassing the 47 percent coverage seen with 4G LTE at a similar stage of its rollout in 2014. North America also became the first region to achieve parity with approximately equal numbers of commercial 5G and 4G LTE networks. Industry collaboration and investment, coupled with a favorable regulatory environment, contributed to advancements in applications such as telehealth and smart infrastructure, further propelling the region's network deployment. The region's growth is indicative of its strong ecosystem, as noted by Viet Nguyen, President of 5G Americas. Nguyen emphasized the importance of network deployment and advanced use cases in driving 5G adoption. Latin America also demonstrated a noteworthy increase in 5G connections, doubling its total to 76 million by the end of 2024, even as 4G LTE continued to dominate the market with 593 million users. Network deployments for 5G have historically outpaced those of 4G LTE, further highlighting the rapid expansion of this technology. As of March 2025, there are 354 commercial 5G networks globally, with North America leading in parity, the only region where the number of 5G networks equals that of LTE. The growth in North America and emerging markets in Latin America signifies an evolving landscape in wireless connectivity that includes opportunities for advanced technological applications.