AI pushes mobile toward a new era: 5G, data upload, and 6G

The mobile landscape can no longer be understood solely as a network for streaming videos, browsing the web, or using apps. Artificial intelligence is beginning to transform the type of traffic flowing through networks, the way devices connect, and the expectations of companies and users. The latest Ericsson Mobility Report, published in June 2026, captures this shift well: 5G now exceeds 3 billion subscriptions and accounts for half of global mobile traffic.

This figure is significant, but it’s not the only one. Data traffic on mobile networks grew by 22% between the first quarter of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, exceeding expectations. At the same time, fixed wireless access, known as FWA, continues to gain ground: 71% of providers offering FWA now do so over 5G, up from 57% a year earlier.

Ericsson’s analysis is clear: we are entering a phase where AI, cloud, and mobile are strengthening each other. Generative models, AI agents, smart glasses, connected vehicles, drones, and industrial devices will not only demand more data but also require a different kind of network: increased upload capacity, lower latency, higher reliability, and differentiated services.

5G now carries half of mobile traffic

Throughout 2025, about 660 million new 5G subscriptions were added globally. By the end of the year, 5G represented roughly one-third of all mobile subscriptions. In the first quarter of 2026, another 162 million were added, reaching a total of 3.1 billion. Ericsson forecasts this will grow to 6.4 billion by 2031, representing two-thirds of all mobile subscriptions at that time.

The shift from 4G is already underway. According to the report, 5G will surpass 4G as the dominant mobile technology by the end of 2027, nine years after its commercial launch. Meanwhile, 2G and 3G continue to shut down in many markets to free spectrum and bolster 4G and 5G deployments.

Coverage is also progressing, though unevenly. In 2025, around 400 million additional people gained 5G coverage. Still, outside mainland China, half the world remained without 5G coverage at year-end, and only about 35% of global mobile sites, excluding mainland China, had been upgraded to mid-band 5G.

That mid-band spectrum is a key piece because it combines capacity and coverage. It’s not just about having “5G” displayed on your phone icon. Real experience—and especially new services offering differentiated connectivity—depend on networks with sufficient capacity and the deployment of standalone 5G.

Upload traffic becomes the new bottleneck

Until now, mobile networks were primarily designed for downloading. The dominant pattern was clear: users consumed streaming videos, social media, websites, music, or games. Most traffic was from the network to the device.

AI is changing that logic. Many new applications require continuous data uploads to the cloud or network edge: camera video, audio, sensors, telemetry, robot commands, vehicle data, or contextual information captured by smart glasses. Ericsson warns that upload traffic is now growing faster than download in many networks. In a survey of 55 operators during 2025, 43 recorded higher growth in upload than download, and 17 saw uploads more than 1.5 times higher.

This shift may seem technical but has very visible consequences. A video call, live stream, security camera with AI, glasses transmitting images to the cloud, or an autonomous vehicle generating telemetry all require good upload capacity. If networks are primarily optimized for download, the user experience degrades.

Ericsson outlines three scenarios of traffic growth driven by AI. In a moderate scenario—with assistants on smartphones, smart glasses, AI-assisted cloud gaming, AI companions, and connected cameras—upload traffic could be three times higher in 2031 than in 2025. In a high-growth scenario, it could be up to five times more.

Ericsson’s conclusion is straightforward: current networks are not dimensioned for sustained upload demand. Software improvements in 5G help, but in the medium term, more radio capacity, additional spectrum, increased density, smarter RAN, and eventually native 6G capabilities will be necessary.

FWA: 5G as a real alternative to fixed broadband

Fixed wireless access remains one of the clearest use cases for 5G. Ericsson estimates that 83% of the providers surveyed offer FWA, and 175 operators are already delivering it over 5G. This accounts for 71% of all providers offering FWA.

Forecasts suggest FWA connections will grow from 185 million at the end of 2025 to 350 million by 2031. About 85% of these will be over 5G. Translated into people, Ericsson estimates approximately 1.4 billion individuals will be served by fixed broadband FWA in 2031, based on an average household of four persons.

FWA also influences traffic. By the end of 2025, it represented 28% of global mobile network traffic and is expected to grow more than threefold, reaching around 187 EB monthly in 2031, or 36% of total mobile network traffic.

This growth varies by region. North America, Nordic countries, the Gulf, and parts of Asia show strong adoption. Latin America, Africa, and parts of Southeast Asia still have significant potential, despite demand for broadband in less fiber-rich areas.

Network slicing: from technical promise to commercial product

Another sign of 5G maturity is the advancement of network slicing. Ericsson reports 84 commercial offerings based on network slicing on standalone 5G, up from 65 six months earlier. The total number of instances, including trials and commercial services, reaches 151.

This concept is simple: not all users or services require the same. A card payment at a stadium needs low latency and continuity; a broadcasting camera needs high upload capacity; an online gamer demands rapid response; a company may require guaranteed performance. Network slicing allows creating logical “portions” of the network on the same physical infrastructure with different parameters.

Ericsson highlights a real-world test by SoftBank at the 2026 Japanese F1 Grand Prix in Suzuka. Over 315,000 people attended over three days. SoftBank deployed five slices over 5G SA for varied uses: high-quality connectivity, payments, mmWave with Wi-Fi, wireless cameras, and XR. The test demonstrated that premium services could coexist with general connectivity if capacity was expanded beforehand and smart control was applied later.

According to Ericsson, general users with 5G SA at the event experienced an average download speed 4.1 times higher and upload speeds 14.6 times higher compared to the 2025 edition.

6G begins to take shape

Although 5G is still expanding, the report already positions 6G on the horizon. Initial implementable specifications are expected by late 2028 or early 2029, with the first commercial services around 2030 in pioneering markets like the US, China, Japan, South Korea, and Gulf countries.

Ericsson forecasts 180 million 6G subscriptions by 2031, excluding early adoption of AI-enabled devices like autonomous vehicles, smart glasses, or drones. If these devices are adopted sooner, the number could be higher.

6G will not be just “faster.” The report describes it as a native AI network, integrated terrestrial and satellite systems, combined communication and sensing, greater energy efficiency, and enhanced support for applications such as massive digital twins, autonomous mobility, and broad-area mixed reality.

The company wants AI, but the foundation isn’t ready yet

The report also examines the enterprise market. Based on a survey conducted with Arthur D. Little involving over 100 executives and decision-makers from large companies across North America, Europe, and Asia, it identifies a clear gap: nearly nine out of ten organizations see AI as critical, but only a minority have scaled it effectively. Only 8% report deploying AI across multiple business areas, another 8% have fully adopted cloud technologies, and just 18% have extensive mobile solutions.

The paradox is clear. Companies want AI for operations, collaboration, customer service, asset tracking, vehicles, wearables, or industrial automation, but many haven’t yet deployed the reliable connectivity, cloud infrastructure, and data architectures needed to do so effectively.

This represents an opportunity for operators: shift from being just connectivity providers to transformation partners, combining public 5G, private networks, edge computing, security, APIs, and managed services.

The report concludes that mobile is entering a more demanding phase. It’s no longer just about increasing monthly data caps or maximum speeds. AI, cloud, and new devices require networks to be smarter, more programmable, and more symmetric. For years, mobile mainly served content consumption. The next phase will see it powering AI systems that observe, decide, and act in real-time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many 5G subscriptions are there worldwide?
Ericsson indicates that 5G exceeded 3 billion subscriptions and reached 3.1 billion in the first quarter of 2026.

What percentage of global mobile traffic is carried over 5G?
According to the report, 5G now transports approximately half of all mobile traffic worldwide.

Why does AI increase the importance of upload capacity?
Because many AI-based services send video, audio, sensor data, or telemetry from devices to the cloud or edge, demanding higher uplink bandwidth.

What is FWA?
It’s fixed wireless access: broadband for homes or businesses using mobile networks, especially 5G, instead of fiber or cable.

When will 6G arrive?
Ericsson expects the first implementable specifications by late 2028 or early 2029, with initial commercial services around 2030 in pioneering markets.