5G in 2024: Speed, Scale, and What Comes Next Worldwide

By mid-2024, global 5G subscriptions passed 1.6 billion and 5G networks covered nearly half the world’s population, according to Ericsson’s Mobility Report. In the United States, 5G fixed wireless access (FWA) from T-Mobile and Verizon added millions of new home broadband customers and captured the majority of net broadband additions for the second year running. The takeaway is simple: 5G has moved from hype to hard results—and it’s reshaping how consumers stream, how factories operate, and how cities connect.

At its core, 5G is the fifth generation of cellular networks—the successor to 4G LTE—designed to deliver higher data rates, lower latency, and support for massive numbers of connected devices. It matters now because enterprise digitalization, AI at the edge, and immersive consumer applications all demand more bandwidth and responsiveness than 4G can consistently deliver. This article breaks down how 5G works, where it’s delivering value today, and where it’s headed next.

Understanding 5G Technology

5G is a set of standards (3GPP Releases 15–18 and beyond) for radio and core networks that enable three headline capabilities:

• Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB): multi-hundred Mbps to multi-Gbps speeds for data-intensive apps.
• Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communications (URLLC): latency targets near 1 ms for mission-critical control.
• Massive Machine-Type Communications (mMTC): connectivity for millions of low-power IoT devices per square kilometer.

Unlike previous generations, 5G is cloud-native from the core out. Operators deploy virtualized and containerized network functions, run workloads at the edge, and carve “slices” of the network for different performance and security needs. This flexibility makes 5G as much an enterprise platform as a consumer service.

Context matters. Carriers initially launched 5G in “non-standalone” (NSA) mode—anchoring to 4G cores—to accelerate rollout. In 2023–2024, the shift toward “standalone” (SA) 5G has gathered pace, enabling advanced features like full network slicing, better uplink performance, and more deterministic latency essential for industrial use.

How It Works

At a high level, 5G combines new spectrum, smarter radio techniques, and a cloudified core network.

Spectrum: low-, mid-, and mmWave

• Low-band (sub-1 GHz): Wide coverage, building penetration, modest speed boosts over 4G. Example: 600 MHz in the US.
• Mid-band (1–7 GHz, often 2.5–4 GHz): The “sweet spot” balancing speed and coverage. C-band (3.7–3.98 GHz) powers AT&T and Verizon’s recent gains; 2.5 GHz underpins T-Mobile’s “Ultra Capacity.”
• mmWave (24–40+ GHz): Gigabit-class throughput with very limited range and penetration; well-suited for stadiums, dense urban cores, and campus hotspots.

Radio innovations

• Massive MIMO and beamforming: Arrays with dozens of antennas focus energy toward devices, increasing capacity and signal quality.
• Carrier aggregation: Combines multiple frequency blocks—across bands—to boost throughput.
• TDD (time-division duplex): Used widely in mid-band, enabling flexible uplink/downlink balance driven by traffic patterns.

Cloud-native core and edge

• 5G Core (5GC): Software-based, microservices architecture that scales elastically and supports user-plane functions close to the edge.
• Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC): Locates compute near base stations, trimming round-trip latency for apps like AR, machine vision, or real-time analytics.
• Network slicing: Logical, isolated networks over shared infrastructure. For example, a slice with guaranteed throughput and sub-20 ms latency for a factory, alongside a best-effort slice for public access.

SA vs. NSA

• NSA: Faster time-to-market, leverages 4G core; good for consumer broadband but limited advanced features.
• SA: Unlocks end-to-end 5G capabilities—consistent low latency, uplink gains, slicing, and improved security models. Operators like T-Mobile US and Deutsche Telekom have expanded SA coverage significantly in 2023–2024.

Key Features & Capabilities

5G stands out not just for raw speed, but for deterministic performance and flexibility.

What makes 5G powerful

• Throughput: Mid-band 5G routinely delivers 200–400 Mbps downlink in many markets, with mmWave peaks above 2 Gbps in favorable conditions.
• Latency: Sub-10 ms is common on optimized SA networks; URLLC targets near 1 ms in controlled environments.
• Density: Support for up to 1 million devices per square kilometer—crucial for IoT-dense campuses and smart cities.
• Reliability: URLLC profile enables factory automation and remote control scenarios with tight jitter bounds.
• Determinism via slicing: Application-specific SLAs across shared infrastructure—key for regulated or mission-critical operations.
• Positioning: 5G-Advanced (Release 18) enhances device positioning accuracy potentially to sub-meter levels in some deployments.
• RedCap (NR-Light): Introduced for mid-tier IoT devices—cameras, wearables, industrial sensors—offering lower complexity and cost than full eMBB modems.

Tooling the ecosystem

• Silicon: Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X75 platform brings 5G-Advanced features and improved power efficiency; MediaTek’s Dimensity series competes in mid/high tiers; Apple’s iPhone 15 line uses advanced 5G modems with broad band support; Samsung’s Exynos modems are in select regions.
• RAN vendors: Ericsson, Nokia, Samsung, Huawei, and ZTE power most global 5G deployments; Open RAN suppliers like Mavenir and Rakuten Symphony are gaining ground.
• Cloud: AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud host telco network functions and offer private 5G/MEC services integrated with enterprise IT workflows.

Real-World Applications

5G is now driving tangible outcomes across sectors.

Home broadband via FWA

• T-Mobile US reported around 5 million 5G Home Internet subscribers by mid-2024; Verizon counted roughly 3 million. FWA delivers 100–300 Mbps typical downloads with self-install kits, often at lower prices than cable.
• Impact: In many US markets, FWA accounted for most net broadband additions across 2023–2024, pressuring cable incumbents and expanding competition in underserved areas.

Manufacturing and logistics

• Schneider Electric (France): With Orange and Nokia, deployed private 5G at the Le Vaudreuil “lighthouse” factory. Outcome: deterministic wireless links for machine vision and AGVs; simplified reconfiguration of lines—changeovers that once took days can be done in hours, boosting flexibility.
• BMW Group: Campus networks in plants (e.g., Germany) use 5G for wireless tool tracking, in-line inspections, and AR-assisted maintenance. Reported benefits include faster line retooling and fewer network-related stoppages.
• Volkswagen Wolfsburg: Private 5G with Nokia supports connected robotics and secure data flows between production cells, improving uptime and enabling new automation.
• DHL and Deutsche Telekom: 5G-enabled “smart warehouse” pilots in Germany improved picking accuracy and provided near real-time location tracking of pallets and assets, reducing search times by double-digit percentages.

Healthcare

• Cleveland Clinic and Verizon: Exploring 5G edge for high-resolution imaging transfer and near real-time analytics, reducing upload times from minutes to seconds in trials, and enabling faster radiology workflows.
• UK NHS with BT/Ericsson: 5G in hospital estates for connected ambulances and remote consultations. During trials, clinicians could stream 4K bodycam footage and ultrasound scans reliably to specialists, accelerating triage and decision-making.
• Remote ultrasound: Vodafone’s 5G-assisted tele-ultrasound pilots in Europe demonstrated low-latency haptics and video streams, a stepping stone toward broader telemedicine in rural areas.

Retail and venues

• Walmart and Verizon: 5G MEC pilots for in-store computer vision and autonomous floor cleaning robots; local processing cut inference latency, improving responsiveness and safety margins.
• Sports stadiums: Verizon’s mmWave 5G in NFL venues like SoFi Stadium has delivered multi-gigabit bursts, enabling AR overlays, instant multi-angle replays, and high-density connectivity for tens of thousands of fans simultaneously.

Transportation and cities

• C-V2X and 5G: Automakers and carriers are preparing for 5G-enabled vehicle-to-everything services. In Japan, NTT Docomo and partners have trialed 5G for remote driving support and HD map updates. In the US and Europe, city corridors with 5G roadside units are piloting hazard alerts and cooperative perception for improved safety.
• Ports: The Port of Antwerp and the Port of Hamburg have run 5G trials with Ericsson and Nokia, respectively, to coordinate autonomous vehicles, drones, and sensors—reducing inspection times and boosting operational visibility.

Energy and mining

• Boliden’s Kankberg mine (Sweden) with Telia/Ericsson: Private cellular networks support autonomous vehicles and remote drilling, improving worker safety and enabling continuous operations where Wi-Fi struggled with interference and coverage.
• Utilities like Enel: 5G-backed monitoring for substations and distributed renewable assets provides higher data granularity and faster fault detection, cutting mean time to repair and improving grid stability.

Transition point: As adoption spreads beyond pilots, the market dynamics are shifting rapidly.

Industry Impact & Market Trends

5G is changing competitive positions across telecom and adjacent industries.

Adoption and coverage

• Subscriptions: 5G connections exceeded 1.6 billion globally by mid-2024 and are projected by GSMA to reach several billion by 2030, representing the majority of mobile connections.
• Coverage: Global population coverage approached 45–50% in 2024. In China, operators have deployed several million 5G base stations, driving hundreds of millions of 5G users and pervasive urban coverage. In the US, T-Mobile says its 5G covers 330 million people, with “Ultra Capacity” mid-band reaching roughly 300 million; Verizon’s C-band covers about 250 million; AT&T’s mid-band footprint exceeds 200 million.

Performance

• Speed: In the US, mid-band 5G often clocks 200–300 Mbps median downloads. Leading global markets like South Korea and the UAE frequently report 400–500 Mbps averages in dense areas.
• Latency: SA deployments and MEC are bringing latencies into the single-digit millisecond range for local processing, enabling responsive AR and control applications.

Enterprise and private 5G

• Private 5G market: Analyst estimates vary, but many peg private LTE/5G revenue at a high double-digit CAGR through 2028, reaching the mid–single-digit billions of dollars. Manufacturing, logistics, and energy are the leading adopters.
• Sectors: Automotive (smart factories), electronics, ports, and mining are early movers; healthcare, retail, and campuses are emerging.

Services and monetization

• FWA as a growth engine: With 5G spectrum and capacity ramping, FWA has become a material revenue stream for US carriers and is expanding in Europe and parts of Asia.
• Network slicing pilots to products: Telstra and Deutsche Telekom have tested consumer and enterprise slices—for example, gaming-optimized slices and industrial slices with guaranteed throughput. Commercial scaling is expected as SA networks mature.

Ecosystem shifts

• Open RAN: Operators including Vodafone, Telefónica, and AT&T are deploying Open RAN at scale. AT&T announced a multibillion-dollar Open RAN deal with Ericsson in late 2023, with deployments accelerating in 2024, signaling a shift toward more software-driven, vendor-diverse networks.
• Cloud-telco convergence: Carriers increasingly run core functions on AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, and partner for edge computing. Dish Wireless launched as a cloud-native 5G network on AWS; Rakuten Mobile in Japan has pushed cloud automation for RAN and core.

Market sizing snapshots:

• 5G services market is frequently forecast to approach or exceed $1.5 trillion in annual revenue by 2030, with a CAGR north of 40% from early 2020s baselines, driven by eMBB, FWA, and enterprise solutions.
• 5G infrastructure spending remains strong through the mid-2020s, with ongoing densification and mid-band rollouts, and a second wave for 5G-Advanced features.

Challenges & Limitations

5G’s trajectory is strong, but not without friction.

Coverage quality and device experience

• Consistency: Not all “5G” is equal. Low-band 5G often feels like fast 4G, while mid-band delivers the step-change most users expect. mmWave is transformational but highly localized and line-of-sight sensitive.
• Battery life: Early 5G devices saw higher power draw, especially on mmWave. Modem advances (e.g., Snapdragon X75) and RAN energy-saving features have improved efficiency, but sustained high-throughput sessions still tax batteries.
• Device fragmentation: Many mid-tier phones lack mmWave; enterprise devices may lag in supporting new features like RedCap or SA-only bands, complicating procurement.

Spectrum and interference

• Spectrum availability: Mid-band is the workhorse, but auctions and refarming take years. In the US, C-band deployment faced temporary constraints due to aviation altimeter concerns, resolved with retrofits and coordination—but it shows how spectrum policy can slow rollouts.
• Local regulations: Permitting for small cells and fiber backhaul varies widely, creating uneven coverage and delays in urban densification.

Economics and ROI

• Capex intensity: Densifying networks and upgrading to SA cores require sustained investment. Operators must monetize beyond consumer eMBB—through FWA, enterprise private networks, and slices—to justify ROI.
• Enterprise complexity: Private 5G adoption often stalls on integration complexity, security governance, and skills gaps. IT/OT convergence and managed services from carriers and SIs (Accenture, Deloitte, Capgemini) are helping, but maturity varies.

Security

• New attack surfaces: Cloud-native cores, APIs, and edge nodes expand the threat landscape. Supply chain scrutiny remains high, with some countries restricting certain vendors.
• Isolation and policy: Slicing and multi-tenant edge require robust isolation, zero-trust architectures, and continuous compliance—a nontrivial operational challenge.

Standards timing

• URLLC, sidelink for V2X, and advanced positioning are maturing through 3GPP Releases 16–18. In many markets, fully deterministic URLLC remains limited to private networks or controlled environments. Slices for mass-market use are still early-stage.

Future Outlook

The next phase is less about wider coverage—and more about capability.

5G-Advanced arrives

• Release 18 (frozen in 2024) ushers in “5G-Advanced”: AI-native RAN optimization, improved uplink, better power savings, enhanced positioning, and RedCap evolution. Expect more deterministic performance and better device energy efficiency.
• Release 19 extends features for non-terrestrial networks (NTN), industrial timing (TSN over 5G), and further AI/ML integration. Commercial features will roll into networks through 2025–2027.

Satellite-to-phone becomes real

• Direct-to-cell: AST SpaceMobile and AT&T demonstrated space-based broadband from standard smartphones in 2024, including voice and video calls with double-digit Mbps downlink during tests. SpaceX and T-Mobile plan to launch direct-to-cell text and basic data services in phases starting 2025. NTN capabilities in 5G-Advanced will support broader satellite integration.
• Implication: Coverage gaps in rural areas and at sea/air could shrink dramatically, augmenting terrestrial 5G rather than replacing it.

Enterprise scale-out and slicing

• From pilots to production: Manufacturers and logistics operators will expand private 5G from one or two sites to regional footprints. Network-as-a-service offers from carriers and hyperscalers will simplify procurement and lifecycle management.
• Commercial slicing: Expect game-optimized consumer slices and enterprise slices with guaranteed bandwidth/latency, integrated with SD-WAN/SASE. Early adopters will be media production, gaming, industrial control, and retail.

Open RAN and automation

• Disaggregation: With AT&T, Vodafone, and NTT DOCOMO advancing Open RAN, multi-vendor radio networks will gain traction. Automation and AI-driven optimization could reduce operational costs and enable faster feature rollout.
• Energy efficiency: Vendors tout 20–30% RAN energy savings through software features and intelligent sleep modes, important as traffic grows and sustainability targets tighten.

Edge AI and immersive apps

• On-device and edge AI: 5G plus edge compute will power real-time vision (quality inspection, safety monitoring) and LLM inference for mobile workers. Expect latency-sensitive AR guidance, digital twins in factories, and live volumetric video at events.
• Consumer experiences: Cloud gaming with reduced jitter, multi-view sports streaming, and lighter AR overlays will become more mainstream as SA networks mature.

Path to 6G

• Horizon 2030: 6G research is underway, targeting native AI, sub-THz bands, and even more precise sensing and positioning. 5G-Advanced bridges the gap, making today’s investments future-proof and setting the stage for seamless evolution.

Actionable Guidance

• For enterprises:

  1. Start with a pilot that maps directly to KPIs—quality inspection accuracy, line changeover time, or downtime reduction—and quantify results.
  2. Choose spectrum and architecture wisely: private 5G on licensed, shared (e.g., CBRS in the US), or operator-sliced networks. Mid-band is a strong default for performance and coverage.
  3. Co-design with IT/OT and security teams. Adopt zero-trust, segment critical systems, and plan for lifecycle management and skills development.
  4. Integrate edge compute early. Placing analytics close to sensors and cameras is often where 5G’s latency advantage pays off.
  5. Build a vendor ecosystem: RAN vendor, systems integrator, and cloud provider should align on outcomes and SLAs.

• For service providers:

  • Double down on SA deployments and MEC nodes where enterprise demand is ripest.
  • Productize slices with clear SLAs and APIs; integrate with developer ecosystems.
  • Expand FWA while monitoring spectrum utilization to protect mobile experience.

• For developers:

  • Design for variable path characteristics; leverage carrier APIs for QoS and location.
  • Test on SA networks and edge nodes to tune latency-sensitive workloads.

Conclusion

5G in 2024 is delivering at scale: multi-hundred Mbps to millions of users, FWA broadband that’s reshaping ISP competition, and private networks that make factories more flexible and safer. The numbers back it up—over 1.6 billion 5G lines worldwide, wide mid-band coverage in major markets, and strong momentum in enterprise pilots turning to production.

The opportunity is twofold. Near term, organizations can translate 5G’s speed and determinism into measurable gains—faster inspections, fewer stoppages, safer operations, and richer customer experiences. Medium term, 5G-Advanced will bring tighter latency bounds, better positioning, satellite augmentation, and practical network slicing that opens new business models.

The challenge is execution: aligning spectrum, architecture, security, and integration to deliver outcomes—not just connectivity. The winners will be those who treat 5G as a platform for transformation, not a pipe. With SA networks maturing, Open RAN broadening choice, and edge AI surging, 5G is shifting from “nice-to-have bandwidth” to the connective tissue of modern digital operations. The next wave—5G-Advanced—only accelerates that trajectory.