More mobile operators are now offering 5G services that guarantee performance for specific uses, according to the November 2025 Ericsson Mobility Report (EMR). These services use 5G Standalone (5G SA) networks and network slicing, which allows operators to reserve parts of their network for certain tasks or customers.
Over 90 providers have launched or trialed 5G SA networks, up from around 60 a year ago. The report also identified 118 cases across 56 providers using network slicing to offer these specialized services.
“We see that service providers around the world are keen to embrace and deploy 5G SA to offer differentiated connectivity based on value services and not just data volume packages,” said Erik Ekudden, publisher of EMR and CTO at Ericsson. “As reflected in the case studies in this EMR edition, 5G SA is already enabling differentiated connectivity opportunities. We’ve seen many service providers go from proof-of-concept to commercial deployment in 2025 alone, and we expect to see that trend continuing.”
Of the 118 cases, 65 have moved beyond testing to commercial services, either as subscriptions or add-on packages for consumers or businesses. About 21 of these were launched during 2025.
The report shows mobile networks are moving beyond just more data, offering services that guarantee speed and quality for specific needs.
The report also envisions 6G, which is expected to launch first in countries like the United States, Japan, South Korea, China, and India. Global 6G subscriptions could reach 180 million by 2031, not counting early adoption by AI-enabled Internet of Things devices. Europe is expected to get 6G roughly a year later than other regions.
Enhanced mobile broadband remains a major 5G use, with 6.4 billion 5G subscriptions expected by 2031, about two-thirds of all mobile subscriptions. Around 4.1 billion of these will use 5G SA. In 2025 alone, 5G subscriptions are expected to reach 2.9 billion, around one-third of all mobile subscriptions.
Globally, 400 million more people gained 5G access in 2025. Mobile data traffic grew 20% between the third quarters of 2024 and 2025, largely driven by China and India, and is forecast to grow 16% yearly through 2031. By the end of 2025, 5G networks are expected to handle 43% of all mobile data, up from 34% last year.
Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) broadband also continues to grow. About 1.4 billion people are expected to use FWA by 2031, 90% via 5G. At present, 159 providers, or around 65% of all FWA operators, offer 5G-based services, and the number offering speed-based pricing has grown from 43% to 54% since last year.