Ericsson global insights reveal an almost 300-fold increase in mobile data traffic since 2011 – the year in which Ericsson Mobility Report was first published. The findings, based on current and historical network data, are included in the special ten-year edition of the Ericsson Mobility Report November 2021. The report looks back at some of the key trends and events that have shaped the last decade, as well as revealing the latest forecasts toward 2027.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, mobile penetration is less than the global average and mobile subscriptions will continue to grow by an additional 25 percent over the forecast period. 4G is estimated to account for close to 20 percent of subscriptions at the end of 2021. Over the forecast period, the total number of mobile broadband subscriptions is predicted to increase, reaching 78 percent of mobile subscriptions. While 5G and 4G subscriptions will continue to grow over the next 6 years, HSPA will remain the dominant technology with a share of 40 percent in 2027. Driving factors behind the growth of mobile broadband subscriptions include a young, growing population with increasing digital skills and more affordable smartphones. Over the forecast period, discernible volumes of 5G subscriptions are expected from 2022, reaching 10 percent in 2027.
In the Middle East and North Africa region, around 37 percent of mobile subscriptions are estimated to be for 4G at the end of The region is anticipated to evolve over the forecast period. By 2027, 81 percent of subscriptions are expected to be for mobile broadband with 4G being the dominant technology, accounting for 45 percent of subscriptions at that time. This will be a decline from a peak of 50 percent in 2026, as subscribers migrate to 5G. The region is likely to reach close to 210 million 5G subscriptions in 2027, representing 25 percent of total mobile subscriptions.
The GCC countries, part of the Middle East and North Africa region, are among the most advanced ICT markets in the world– 91 percent of mobile subscriptions are estimated to be for mobile broadband at the end of 2021, and this is projected to reach 96 percent in 2027. 4G is the dominant technology, accounting for about 80 percent of the subscriptions at the end of 2021. However, with 5G adoption accelerating in the forecast period, the
majority of mobile subscriptions are anticipated to be for 5G at over 65 million in 2027, representing 80 percent of total mobile subscriptions.
