Global 5G subscriptions have passed three billion as mobile networks enter a new phase defined by surging uplink traffic, according to the latest Ericsson Mobility Report.

The June 2026 edition found that 162 million new 5G subscriptions were added globally in the first quarter of the year, bringing the worldwide total to 3.1 billion — a figure forecast to more than double to 6.4 billion by the end of 2031. More striking is a structural shift in how networks are being used: uplink traffic is now growing faster than downlink for most service providers worldwide, in some cases significantly faster.

Uplink becomes the new bottleneck

Based on Ericsson measurements across 55 service providers, 43 saw a higher uplink growth rate than downlink, and 17 saw uplink growing more than 1.5 times faster. The company’s scenario modelling suggests additional AI traffic could push uplink three times higher or more in 2031 compared with 2025. The main near-term drivers are smartphone communication and collaboration apps, the sharing of user-generated content, and cloud storage.

Ericsson frames the trend as part of a deeper transition. “With the upcoming transition to physical AI, traffic patterns will fundamentally shift as we move from centralized models in data centers to distributed, autonomous AI agents embedded across our device vehicles and cities, commonly connected by 5G,” said Erik Ekudden, the report’s publisher and Ericsson’s Chief Technology Officer.

Networks become intelligent infrastructure

The report points to broader momentum in 5G. Mobile network data traffic grew 22 per cent year on year in the first quarter, while 5G networks handled 48 per cent of all mobile data traffic at the end of 2025 — a share expected to rise to 85 per cent by 2031. Around 390 service providers have now launched commercial 5G services, more than 90 of them on 5G Standalone.

Communications service providers are increasingly building commercial offerings on 5G Standalone network slicing and differentiated connectivity, with the number of such offerings rising from 65 to 84 over six months — a sign the model is moving from early adoption towards mainstream commercialisation.

Singapore and Southeast Asia momentum builds

Closer to home, 5G adoption continues to accelerate across Southeast Asia and Oceania, with the region forecast to reach around 670 million 5G subscriptions by 2031. Subscription growth is led by Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines, while 5G fixed wireless access is emerging as a monetisation opportunity, connecting fibre-constrained communities. The report singled out Singapore, where nationwide 5G deployment is among the most advanced globally, as a market embedding 5G into enterprise solutions such as secure mobile workspaces.

“Singapore has consistently been among the world’s leading markets in 5G deployment, and that foundation is becoming increasingly relevant as enterprise requirements grow more demanding. With uplink traffic rising and AI-driven applications placing new performance requirements on networks, Singapore’s operators are well placed to deliver the kind of differentiated, reliable connectivity that businesses need,” said Daniel Ode, Head of Singapore, Brunei and Philippines and Global Customer Unit Singtel at Ericsson.

The findings position the region as a significant contributor to the next wave of 5G growth, even as mature markets shift focus towards monetising standalone networks, enterprise use cases and early 6G standardisation.