The IT Nerd

Global 5G mobile subscriptions passed the three billion mark during the first quarter of 2026; 5G Standalone (SA) network slicing commercial offerings from communications service providers continue to grow significantly; while uplink mobile data traffic growth is already outpacing downlink for many service providers. All this and more features in the June 2026 edition of the Ericsson Mobility Report (EMR).

The June 2026 report covers the same period (2025-2031) as the November 2025 edition, with updated statistics and forecasts.

The 162 million new 5G subscriptions added globally during the first quarter of 2026 brought the total past the three billion mark, to 3.1 billion subscriptions. This figure is expected to grow rapidly and is forecast to more than double (to 6.4 billion) by the end of 2031.

Some 390 service providers have launched commercial 5G services to date – more than 90 of which have launched 5G Standalone (SA). 5G networks handled 48 percent of all mobile data traffic at the end of 2025 – a figure expected to rise to 85 percent by the end of 2031. Western Europe, North America, North East Asia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are forecast to have 5G mobile subscription adoption close to, or above, 90 percent by the end of 2031.

The number of commercial differentiated connectivity service offerings based on 5G SA network slicing from service providers – with the ability to deliver guaranteed quality of service for use cases through securing slices of the network – continues to grow at pace. The total increased from 65 in the November 2025 EMR report to 84 across all regions in the new June edition – indicating that services based on differentiated connectivity are moving from early adoption to mainstream commercialization.

Speed-based tariff plans for fixed wireless access (FWA) also continue to appeal to service providers as a structured monetization strategy targeting different market segments. The share of FWA service providers offering the service over 5G has reached 71 percent – up from 57 percent in June 2025 – the largest annual increase in four years. Speed-based tariff plans are now offered by 57 percent of FWA service providers – up from 51 percent a year ago.The diverse momentum is reflected in new 5G FWA launches in Algeria, Argentina, Bangladesh, Morocco, Taiwan, Türkiye and Vietnam.

5G FWA connections uptake is strongest in North America, the Nordics, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and parts of Asia.

The appeal is broad, spanning markets with more than 95 percent fiber-connected homes to low-ARPU markets, such as India. However, growth in Latin America, Africa and parts of South East Asia remains limited, despite long-term potential.

Changing user behavior is also reflected in the June 2026 EMR network traffic statistics.

Uplink traffic is growing faster than downlink for most service providers – in some instances, significantly faster. The main current drivers are smartphone communication and collaboration apps, the sharing of user-generated content, and cloud storage.

Based on network traffic measurements conducted by Ericsson, 43 out of 55 service providers experienced a higher uplink growth rate than downlink, while 17 out of 55 service providers experienced more than 1.5 times higher uplink growth rate than downlink. Ericsson scenario modeling suggests additional AI traffic could result in uplink traffic being three times higher or more in 2031 compared to 2025.

Network data traffic (for both mobile and FWA) grew 22 percent year-on-year for the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025 – exceeding expectations. This was driven mainly by continued strong growth in India and North America.

The report also reflects the increasing industry focus on 6G – with standardization discussions underway. Early expectations include full support for integrated sensing and communication (ISAC); seamless integration between terrestrial and satellite networks to reduce coverage gaps; and a strong focus on energy efficiency – all driven by AI-native 6G.

The first implementable 6G specifications are expected to be finalized by the end of 2028 or early 2029. The first commercial 6G services are expected to follow around 2030, with varying subsequent uptake between regions and countries. As with 5G launches, the US, China, Japan, South Korea and the GCC countries are expected to be early adopters.

Deep dive/partner use case articles in the June 2026 EMR include:

• A closer look at the growth of differentiated connectivity offerings from service providers around the world.
• The rise of uplink demand in AI-driven mobile networks.
• Why mobile connectivity is key to AI-driven enterprise transformation.
• Co-written with Qualcomm:  A look at the evolution of AI-enabled XR in networks. AI is expanding into mobile experiences, with smart glasses and other wearables emerging as new complementary user interfaces that extend digital interactions.
• Co-written with SoftBank: Network slicing success at the 2026 Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix.

Download the full Ericsson Mobility Report June 2026 via this link.

As industrial enterprises increasingly turn to digitalization to enhance safety, productivity, and sustainability, Ericsson and Epiroc are evolving their global relationship to accelerate this transformation within the mining sector. The companies are expanding their longstanding relationship into a broader go to market alliance designed to help mining companies accelerate automation, digitalization, and operational transformation.

Under the agreement, Epiroc, a leading productivity and sustainability partner for the mining and infrastructure industries, will offer Ericsson’s robust LTE and 5G connectivity solutions as part of its comprehensive digital portfolio for both surface and underground mines. This integrated approach makes it easier for mining customers to deploy secure and high-performing wireless networks, laying the foundational layer for scaling automation, remote operations, and predictive maintenance. By combining Ericsson’s technology leadership with Epiroc’s deep domain expertise and global footprint, the partnership addresses the growing demand for connected, resilient operational technology (OT) ecosystems.

Epiroc is empowered to further its position as a performance partner, supporting its customers by seamlessly integrating the Ericsson Private 5G solution with its own digital offerings, including telematics, vendor-agnostic remote-control solutions, and systems for situational awareness and collision avoidance.

The agreement builds on a collaboration established in 2018, when Epiroc and Ericsson signed a cooperation agreement to explore how LTE and 5G technologies could be applied in mining operations.

For more information about Ericsson’s mining solutions and technology, visit Epiroc | Mining Partnership | Ericsson

As enterprises scale AI and data-driven operations, the financial and operational impact of network downtime has escalated, with costs ranging from thousands to over a million dollars per day. Recent research indicates a major network outage costs upwards of US$500,000, with more than one in three organizations indicating a $1 million price tag, making network resilience a critical, board-level priority. Traditional network strategies that treat cellular as a simple backup link are no longer sufficient for today’s always-on business demands. 

To address these evolving needs, Ericsson is enabling enterprises to shift their Wireless WAN strategy from a passive failover system to an active, operational layer of their network. Today, the company introduced the Ericsson Cradlepoint W2255, a next generation 5G adapter, and advanced Wireless WAN orchestration enabled by Ericsson NetCloud. This solution is designed to elevate cellular, giving organizations the visibility, management and troubleshooting tools to deploy multi-provider Wireless WAN networks at scale. The W2255 delivers 5G performance and flexibility based on 3GPP 5G SA Release 17 technology, with seamless Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite integration.  

Designed as a single indoor/outdoor model, its sleek industrial design is suitable for in-office deployments, while its ruggedized, IP67-rated shell can withstand harsh outdoor conditions, giving organizations deployment flexibility for each location. The W2255 offers a range of advanced features for uninterrupted connectivity, including: 

• 10x Faster Carrier Failover: Using Dual SIM/Dual Standby (DSDS) on a single modem, the W2255 can switch to a standby carrier network up to 10 times faster when the primary link degrades, providing continuity for critical applications.  
  
• Multi-WAN Visibility: The solution auto-detects and integrates LEO satellite traffic, providing telemetry for visibility and basic controls directly within NetCloud. This allows businesses to blend cellular and satellite links to provide both link and service provider diversity, while supporting a non-terrestrial connection to provide network resiliency in regions prone to severe weather.
  
• 5G SA Multi-Slice Capability: The W2255 is multi-slice capable with support for User Equipment Routing Selection Policy (URSP), enabling predictable performance through prioritized network slices offered by carriers. This allows an enterprise to isolate critical Point-of-Sale (PoS) traffic on a carrier-backed, high-priority slice while routing best-effort guest Wi-Fi on another.  
  
• Automated Carrier Selection: With support for eSIM and Carrier Selection Intelligence, the adapter can automatically run speed tests on first boot to identify and select the best-performing carrier at each specific location, eliminating the need for specialized onsite staff and complex manual configuration.  
  
• Advanced Multi-WAN Capabilities: When combined with an Ericsson E-series router, organizations can scale up to five cellular connections and four LEO connections. NetCloud SASE’s SD-WAN and Intelligent WAN Bonding can orchestrate these connections to strengthen WAN resiliency, improve application quality of experience, and boost overall WAN performance—all while controlling costs. 

With a unified view of cellular health, LEO health, carrier SIM profiles, applications, security events, and connected cell towers, Ericsson’s solution enables IT teams to manage the full lifecycle of their Wireless WAN with greater efficiency. This centralized orchestration streamlines deployment, simplifies troubleshooting with AI-driven tools, to help branch offices, retail locations, and remote sites remain productive and secure as the organization scales. 

More information about the W2255 can be found here. 

Ericsson will become Virgin Media O2’s primary radio access network (RAN) partner in a five-year partnership extension that will see Ericsson power the majority of the UK service provider’s nationwide UK radio network. Through securing the majority of the radio network-focused element of Virgin Media O2’s latest Mobile Transformation Plan, the partnership extension will earn Ericsson several hundred million Euros across the five years.

Virgin Media O2’s Mobile Transformation Plan will deliver faster, more reliable mobile connectivity across the UK.

With Virgin Media O2’s mobile traffic more than doubling in the last five years alone, a key element of the network enhancement will focus on maximizing the capabilities of additional 5G mid-band spectrum acquired by Virgin Media O2 in 2025, to strengthen the service provider’s UK leadership in 5G Standalone (SA) connectivity.

The partnership extension is the latest development in Virgin Media O2’s Mobile Transformation Plan – with 2026 investments aimed at improving reliability, boosting capacity and widening coverage across its nationwide network.

The upgrade will feature the deployment of a wide range of Ericsson Radio System products, including advanced and energy-efficient multiband Massive MIMO radios – such as the AIR 3229 and the triple-band Radio 4486 – at both new and existing locations.

Ericsson AI and machine learning-based software will also be deployed to intelligently optimize network performance and efficiency in real time.

Network programmability and intelligence will help Virgin Media O2 to utilize the full capabilities of its 5G SA network, supporting advanced differentiated services through network slicing for application, enterprise and industry use cases.

The network upgrade will enable Virgin Media O2 to move more of its customer base to its 5G SA network, which is already available to 87 percent of the UK population. The partnership is also structured to support Virgin Media O2’s evolution to Cloud RAN and to scale into future 5G-Advanced.

The 2026 enhanced Ericsson-VMO2 partnership is the latest development in a productive longstanding relationship between the companies – which included the 2025 investment tranche of the Mobile Transformation Plan.

That scope included performance and capacity improvements through additional spectrum, network densification and small‑cell deployments, targeted upgrades at network hot spots (like stadiums and transport hubs), and extended coverage along railways, major roads, and previously underserved rural and coastal areas.

Ericsson and Future Technologies Venture, LLC today announced an expanded collaboration to accelerate deployment of enterprise wireless and private 5G networks across industrial and critical infrastructure sectors in North America.

The collaboration builds on more than 13 years of joint engagement between the companies and reflects a shared conviction: enterprise wireless is becoming a foundational layer enabling AI-driven modernization across physical industries.

As organizations deploy AI into real-world environments; from manufacturing plants and logistics networks to energy infrastructure and transportation systems, they require secure, resilient, and deterministic connectivity capable of supporting real-time data movement between connected devices, edge computing platforms, and centralized cloud systems.

Industrial environments are simultaneously experiencing rapid growth in connected devices, including sensors, cameras, autonomous systems, vehicles, and mobile workers generating operational data that powers AI-driven automation and decision-making.

This shift is creating a growing gap between AI compute capacity and the enterprise networks designed to support it. Many traditional enterprise connectivity architectures were not built to deliver the scale, reliability, and real-time performance required for modern AI-enabled operations.

To address these requirements, organizations are increasingly deploying cellular technologies, including private 5G and enterprise wireless WAN (WWAN), to provide secure, deterministic connectivity across complex operational environments.

Through the expanded collaboration, Ericsson will provide enterprise wireless and private cellular technologies while Future Technologies delivers systems integration expertise spanning strategy, architecture, deployment, and lifecycle services.

Future Technologies will serve as a systems integrator for enterprise wireless transformation initiatives, helping organizations design and deploy modern connectivity environments across sectors including energy, manufacturing, transportation, logistics, and enterprise campus environments.

Ericsson and Future Technologies have collaborated for more than 13 years across thousands of deployments throughout North America. The partnership builds on more than $150 million in cumulative joint engagement value, spanning public cellular modernization, private cellular deployments, industrial wireless WAN initiatives, and large-scale enterprise connectivity transformation programs.

The companies have already collaborated on enterprise wireless deployments supporting manufacturing environments, industrial facilities, and large-scale sports and entertainment venues where secure connectivity enables real-time operational data and advanced digital applications.

Future Technologies also operates advanced customer validation environments including its Atlanta-based Living Lab and Lab-on-Wheels mobile demonstration platform. These environments allow enterprises to test real-world connectivity architectures, validate operational use cases, and accelerate pilot-to-production deployment timelines.

As industries accelerate adoption of AI-driven operational technologies, scalable wireless infrastructure is emerging as a strategic foundation for modern industrial environments.

Ericsson and Intel are pooling their next-generation technology leadership to help accelerate ecosystem readiness for seamless transition to AI-native 6G deployments and use cases.

The collaboration – an extension of a decades’ long relationship – was announced at Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2026. It will span mobile connectivity, cloud technologies, and compute capabilities across AI-driven RAN and packet core use cases, and platform level-security and network capabilities to help enhance ecosystem enablement and time-to-market for cloud-native solutions.

A shared commitment

As 6G transitions from the research phase to commercial reality, the industry needs a collaborative, well-prepared ecosystem-aligned with global standards bodies and industry organizations to help turn innovation into deployable infrastructure.

The collaboration will advance future high-performance, and energy-efficient compute architectures designed for both AI for networks and Networks for AI.

AI-native 6G will combine intelligent and programmable networks with advanced compute and real-time sensing, creating a stronger foundation for more responsive, efficient and capable services. Over time, that evolution could bring sensing and compute closer together across the network.

Collaboration results on show

Ericsson and Intel have collectively achieved important milestones across cloud RAN, 5G Core and open network infrastructure. That momentum continues at MWC 2026, where multiple demonstrations – across Ericsson (Ericsson Pavilion, Hall 2), Intel (Hall 3, Stand 3E31) and various ecosystem partner event spaces – showcase innovative collaboration.

Related links:
6G – Follow the journey to the next generation networks – Ericsson

Ericsson pioneers Cloud RAN call with HPE server and Intel

Ericsson’s first Cloud RAN call on Intel Xeon 6 with Dell

Ericsson and Intel hit milestones in Tech Hub collaboration

Ericsson, Intel advance optimized 5G

Hyperconnectivity driven by huge numbers of sensors, the expansion of AI into applications and devices, and the role of telecoms in national security was center stage in Barcelona today as Ericsson President and CEO, Börje Ekholm, got the company’s Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026 program underway.

Ekholm said these three “fundamental forces” shaped this year’s Ericsson MWC event theme – Enter New Horizons – and are central to company demos, seminars, panel and round-table discussions, and customer meetings at the Fira Gran Via venue this week.

He said the AI surge and growth in the number of connected devices will drive high-performance connectivity demand as “everything will be connected.”

Ekholm said he was excited about the new era, which he said will also put demands on Ericsson.

Momentum in differentiated connectivity use cases – such as premium fixed wireless access, network slicing, and Network APIs – will also be in focus in Ericsson’s pavilion.

Ericsson’s event space will feature collaborations with more than 120 partners across the industry – comprising more than half of what Ericsson is showing in Barcelona this year.

Ekholm said this was evidence of how the new ecosystem is scaling.

Ekholm referenced the Network APIs-focused joint venture Aduna as an important example of bringing the industry together to form ecosystems to utilize the digital stack.

Ekholm said 5G Standalone would also influence the third ‘fundamental force.’

Ekholm was joined by special guests during the webcast: AT&T CEO, John Stankey, and Singtel CEO, Yuen Kuan Moon.

Stankey and Ekholm discussed the companies’ December 2023 deal aimed at helping the U.S. communications service provider to move to cloud-based architecture and pursue new revenue streams.

Stankey highlighted momentum in fixed wireless access and network slice uptake as being notable and agreed with Ekholm that 5G Standalone is central to the cloud-based and service-based architecture needed for new physical AI services and applications.

Stankey and Ekholm also addressed the importance of collaborating on network security, before discussing the fact that both AT&T and Ericsson celebrate 150-year anniversaries in 2026. While celebrating the landmark they also stressed the need to constantly innovate and think about what is coming next.

Ekholm and Yuen Kuan Moon also discussed the advantages of having 5G Standalone connectivity.

He also highlighted dedicated network slices as new revenue generation opportunities across security, factories, airports and seaports, saying offering applications and gaming network slices was also in focus.

Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2026 runs until March 5. Find out ore about Ericsson’s MWC activities vis this link.

Ericsson has announced it has joined the OCUDU Ecosystem Foundation as a founding premier member, underscoring its commitment to open innovation in radio access network (RAN) software. Ericsson will hold a seat on the Foundation’s Board of Directors.

OCUDU, an open-source initiative under the Linux Foundation, aims to accelerate U.S. leadership in wireless innovation through a portable, open-source CU/DU software stack supporting next-generation RAN capabilities.

Ericsson will help shape OCUDU’s direction to enable research, experimentation, and ecosystem development alongside operators, government agencies, academic institutions, and technology partners. Ericsson’s participation will focus on contributing architectural guidance, ensuring technology neutrality, and advancing research-driven use cases, building on its experience in world‑leading solutions deployed globally across governmental, enterprise, and consumer networks. The company remains dedicated to delivering secure, trusted, and high‑performance networks and will leverage its industry-leading expertise to advance an open and interoperable ecosystem defining the progression of 5G and the emergence of 6G toward a 6G/AI intelligent fabric.

OCUDU Ecosystem Foundation will help facilitate dual use of commercial 5G technologies in specific defense applications, meeting the requirements of the U.S. Department of War. Ericsson is dedicated to supporting the U.S. government’s efforts to modernize its infrastructure by transitioning from legacy systems to secure, open, and programmable network architectures. This will ensure technology neutrality, strengthen national security standards, and foster a resilient telecommunications ecosystem where AI‑driven capabilities can be deployed at scale.

Ericsson today announced it has successfully completed the world’s first 6G pre-standard over-the-air (OTA) session, marking a major milestone towards commercial 6G networks and reinforcing U.S. leadership in next-generation wireless innovation.

This milestone was achieved on a pre-standard 6G system using a trusted, end-to-end architecture designed to be AI and cloud native. Conducted at Ericsson’s U.S. headquarters in Plano, Texas, the OTA session validates the readiness of key 6G building blocks. The demonstration features radio hardware, RAN Compute, software-defined air interfaces, and cloud platforms. Ericsson’s future-proof software architecture is deployable on multiple hardware platforms, including CPU (Central Processing Units) and GPU (Graphics Processing Units).

This achievement supports the U.S. government’s focus on 6G leadership, including early research, global standards and forward-looking spectrum policy. 6G is a critical infrastructure for national security, economic competitiveness, and AI-driven innovation. Ericsson’s work directly supports those priorities by showing how future networks can deliver secure, high-performance, AI-native connectivity that underpins U.S. economic competitiveness, innovation, and national security.

Why this matters

Specifically, the 6G trial proves two key capabilities to prepare future networks for AI: powering AI robotics with instant, reliable connections and processing for real‑time control; and enabling real‑time video streaming.  As AI expands beyond smartphones to power robotics, autonomous systems, immersive applications, and industrial automation, wireless infrastructure is becoming a critical layer of the AI stack. 6G networks will be designed to sense, compute, and adapt in real time, enabling consistent low latency, higher uplink capacity, and new classes of AI services that are not possible today.

Ericsson’s OTA milestone demonstrates that these capabilities are moving into system-level reality, positioning the U.S. ecosystem to shape global standards, drive innovation, and lead commercialization of 6G.

A long-term commitment to the United States

Ericsson has operated in the U.S. for more than 120 years and continues to expand its footprint across research, manufacturing, and operations. The company employs more than 6,000 people across the country and operates 12 R&D centers focused on AI, ASIC design, and antenna systems. Its U.S. headquarters in Plano, Texas, serves as a major hub for advanced wireless R&D, standards development, and customer engagement.

Ericsson also currently manufactures advanced 5G radios and RAN Compute systems at its 5G USA Smart Factory in Lewisville, Texas – one of the most advanced telecom manufacturing facilities in the country. Ericsson has invested more than USD 150 million in the factory and is the only manufacturer making telecom equipment at scale in the U.S. The highly automated, 300,000-square-foot facility supports more than 550 U.S. manufacturing jobs and strengthens secure, resilient domestic supply chains. As 6G technology matures, Ericsson plans to build-on this U.S.-based manufacturing foundation to support future deployments.

Technical highlights

• The system consists of a pre-standard 6G stack with:
  • Spectrum in the 7GHz range (Centimeter Wave)
  • Carrier bandwidth of 400 MHz
  • Performance focus on optimized uplink, enhanced energy efficiency, and maximized spectral utilization

The demonstration leveraged Ericsson radios, baseband platforms, and cloud-native software, and strengthened ongoing contributions to global standard bodies, including 3GPP and Open RAN. Ericsson will continue expanding trials across additional spectrum bands, enabling AI-native capabilities, and collaborating with operators, chipset partners, and the broader ecosystem to accelerate 6G readiness.