The big story today is Ericsson’s new Mobility Report, which offers one of the clearest views yet of how global mobile networks are evolving as operators scale 5G Standalone, experiment with differentiated connectivity, and begin shaping early strategies in the 6G field. The report shows that 33 operators now offer commercial network-slicing-based services, with 65 offerings across consumer and enterprise markets. It’s one of the strongest signs so far that operators are moving beyond basic data plans and toward value-based 5G connectivity.
Momentum behind 5G Standalone keeps building, as the Swedish vendor noted that more than 90carriers have now launched or soft-launched SA networks, up roughly 30 from last year. Nearly one-third of all slicing-driven commercial offerings debuted in 2025 alone — a signal that SA is becoming core to how operators plan to monetize 5G.
Subscriber growth remains strong: 5G subscriptions will reach 2.9 billion by year-end, rising to 6.4 billion by 2031, when 5G will account for two-thirds of all mobile subscriptions. Ericsson also highlights early 6G dynamics, forecasting 180 million 6G connections by 2031, led by the U.S., Japan, South Korea, China, India and Gulf markets. Europe is expected to lag slightly due to slower 5G SA rollout.
Data traffic continues to climb — up 20% year-on-year — with 5G set to carry 43% of all mobile data by end-2025 and 83% by 2031. Fixed Wireless Access remains a growth engine: by 2031, 1.4 billion people are expected to access FWA broadband, 90% over 5G.
The day’s other major development comes from the U.K., where VodafoneThree has hit a major milestone in its £11 billion network investment program. The operator has now upgraded 8,000 sites, improving coverage and capacity for more than 21 million customers. Using its Multi-Operator Core Network technology, VodafoneThree is boosting speeds, expanding 4G and 5G availability, and pushing toward 99% 5G SA population coverage by 2030.
Together, both stories point to the same trend: operators are strengthening the foundations of 5G now — while preparing for what comes next.
Juan Pedro Tomas
Editor
RCR Wireless News
RCR Top Stories
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