5G To Drive SEA Mobile Data Traffic Growth Seven-fold By 2024

Mobile data traffic in Southeast Asia and Oceania will climb seven-fold from 2.3 exabytes last year to 16 exabytes per month by 2024, with growth fuelled by "rapid early momentum and enthusiasm" for 5G. In fact, the next-generation mobile technology will account for almost 12 percent of subscriptions in the region by 2024, according to Ericsson's latest edition of its mobility report. 

Data traffic per smartphone, per month, for the region would increase from 3.6GB to 17GB between 2018 and 2024, at a compound annual growth rate of 29 percent. 

In Singapore, specifically, heavy usage smartphone subscribers would consume up to 200GB of data a month on a 5G device by 2024, predicted the report, which assessed responses from 1,500 smartphone users aged 15 to 69 in Singapore. 

Furthermore, the average smartphone user in the city-state expressed a willingness to pay a 52 percent premium to access selected 5G services. Respondents in Singapore expected smart home sensors and 5G television services to be the top two applications available in a 5G mobile plan. 

Consumers in the country also anticipated the next generation of cellular mobile technology to "become a reality" within two years, the survey found. Another 53 percent believed augmented reality (AR) glasses would be the norm by 2025, where one hour out of three spent watching videos on mobile devices to be on AR or virtual reality (VR) Glasses.

Ericsson's Singapore, Brunei, and Philippine head Martin Wiktorin said: "Mobile video traffic is fuelling the total data traffic as users are spending more time streaming and sharing video. This is expected to continue, as video is embedded in all types of online content. 

"As 5G is gradually rolled out with compatible devices being successively introduced, streaming 360-degree videos and augmented/virtual reality will start to be a significant factor in mobile traffic growth," Wiktorin said.

According to the telecommunication equipment vendor, initial 5G commercial devices were expected to be available in the region during the first half of 2019. 

Worldwide, Ericsson said 5G network coverage would reach 45 percent of the global population by end-2024. It noted, however, that this figure could climb to 65 percent with spectrum-sharing technology enabling 5G rollouts on LTE frequency bands. 

It added that smartphones that supported all main spectrum bands were expected to be available in the market later this year, with global 5G subscriptions projected to exceed 10 million by end-2019. 

RELATED COVERAGE

Singapore seeks public consultation on 5G policies and deployment

Industry regulator wants industry and public feedback on the regulatory framework that will be put in place to facilitate the deployment of 5G network and services by 2020, including spectrum allocation and skills requirements.

Ericsson: 5G can boost enterprise revenue, but security controversy slowing down industry

Touting its low latency and high speeds, Ericsson says 5G can introduce a multitude of new applications for businesses and give telcos the cost efficiencies they seek, but the persistent controversy over cybersecurity--specifically involving Huawei--is leading to uncertainty and a general slowdown in the market.

China issues 5G licenses to local telcos, TV network

Chinese government awards commercial 5G licenses to the country's three biggest telcos--China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom--as well as state-owned China Broadcasting Network, just as Huawei announces it will be deploying 5G technology in Russia, with tests to start this year.

China to lead APAC tech spend, 5G race ahead of global markets

China will remain Asia's largest in terms of tech spending, growing 4 percent this year and 6 percent in 2020, and lead global markets in the 5G race where its investments in telecommunications account for 57 percent of the country's overall spend.

Singtel, Ericsson prep Singapore 5G launch for drone trials

Scheduled to go live by fourth-quarter 2018, the pilot 5G network will facilitate drone and autonomous vehicle trials at the country's designated science and IT hub, One-North.