Ericsson predicts a ten-fold increase in mobile data traffic by 2021

Ericsson predicts that 5G will take off in a big way, with 150 million 5G subscriptions by 2021, as well as a ten-fold increase in mobile data traffic.

A mobile data traffic increase that extreme isn’t so unlikely when you consider the sheer number of devices which are now becoming internet enabled.

As for the uptake of 5G, Ericsson predicts that it will be faster than 4G, as it will be building on the 4G infrastructure that’s already in place.

Patrik Cerwall, Executive Editor of Ericsson’s Mobility Report, said: “5G is built on 4G so there’s a roadmap to 5G. All the mechanisms have been put in place for it to start rolling out, so it will do so faster.”

It’s not just smartphones and tablets that will have superfast data connections though, as Ericsson also predicts that there will be 28 billion connected devices worldwide in the same timeframe, though of course much of that will be Wi-Fi rather than 5G.

It’s too early to say for sure whether Ericsson’s predictions will be correct or not, but given the speed and capabilities of 5G it’s bound to prove popular, so a speedy uptake is all but guaranteed.

That’s why the work companies like Intel and the 5G PPP are doing to ensure future 5G networks are flexible and affordably scalable is so important.

Of course Ericsson is doing its part too, in fact the company has a big role in the development of 5G, with projects such as network slicing and 5G test beds.