On this, World Telecommunications Day, IP Europe welcomes the fact that sales of 5G-capable devices now outnumber their 4G counterparts. 5G is faster, more reliable, and more energy efficient. It is already enabling a whole new way of living through connectivity, improving healthcare, and introducing new ways to work and learn.

5G subscriptions grew by 98 million during the last quarter of 2021, lifting the total to 660 million worldwide. One of the key drivers of this growth was the increased sales in Western Europe as well as in China and North America. The penetration in Western Europe is already over 76%, and 200 communications service providers have already launched commercial 5G services and at least 20 have launched 5G standalone networks.

Whilst some commentators have argued that patent licensing might hold up deployment of 5G, in reality we are seeing the opposite – an explosion of connected devices and services in all sectors of activity. These changes are driving the digital and green transformations. Patents enable the development of this key technology through standardisation, and the sharing of it for the benefit of all through licensing. 

The rollout of 5G will accelerate the digital transformation across the world. New devices, new business models and new applications will revolutionise how we and things connect with one another, improving healthcare, and introducing new ways to work and learn. We are definitely living in exciting times!