With global mobile data traffic expected to grow eight times by the end of 2023, there is a need for a more efficient technology, higher data rates and spectrum utilization. New applications such as 4K/8K video streaming, virtual and augmented reality and emerging industrial use cases will also require higher bandwidth, greater capacity, security, and lower latency. Equipped with these capabilities, 5G will bring new opportunities for people, society, and businesses.
Ericsson and partners have been working with 5G technology for several years in the labs, and last two years we took these technologies into advanced field trials. We have also signed first 5G commercial deals.
The 5G standardization has been accelerated with first 5G New Radio (NR) standard finalized in Dec 2017 and completed in June 2018. First commercial 5G networks and devices based on the 3GPP standards are expected in 2018. The first very few 5G devices will likely be introduced towards the end of 2018. Ericsson estimates the number of subscriptions reaching one billion by the end of 2023.
