The global wireless telecommunications industry achieved a historic milestone in 2024, with 5G connections reaching 2.25 billion worldwide. This remarkable growth is a clear sign of 5G’s rapid adoption, far outpacing previous wireless generations.
According to 5G Americas and Omdia, 5G has expanded four times faster than 4G LTE, while the global mobile ecosystem continues to grow, with 1.5 wireless connections per person worldwide by the end of 2024.
The momentum is expected to continue, with forecasts indicating 8.3 billion 5G connections by 2029, representing 59% of all global wireless technologies. In parallel, the Internet of Things (IoT) saw unprecedented expansion, adding 438 million new connections in 2024, bringing the global total to 3.6 billion.
"Reaching 2.25 billion 5G connections globally is a powerful indicator of how rapidly this technology is transforming the world, but it’s also a reminder of North America’s leadership in shaping that future," said Viet Nguyen, President of 5G Americas. "With 5G now reaching 77% of our population, the region continues to set the pace for innovation, network deployment, and advanced use cases. This momentum speaks to the strength of our ecosystem—industry collaboration, investment, and forward-looking policy—all working together to make next-generation connectivity a reality.”
North America: A Global 5G Leader
By the end of 2024, North America reached 289 million 5G connections—a 67% year-over-year increase from 196 million in 2023—cementing its position as a global 5G leader.
North America has 77% of the region covered by 5G, compared to 4G LTE adoption in North America which had only reached 47% regional coverage by the equivalent point in 2014.
Beyond adoption rates, North America is also the first region in the world to achieve parity between the number of commercial 5G and 4G LTE networks, reflecting the maturity and pace of next-generation network deployment. This leadership is fueled by strong industry investment, collaborative innovation, and a regulatory environment that continues to promote cutting-edge applications in areas like industrial automation, telehealth, smart infrastructure, and AI-powered connectivity.
"North America continues to showcase rapid 5G growth, outpacing previous generations and setting the benchmark for global adoption," said Kristin Paulin, Principal Analyst at Omdia.
5G Adoption Expands Across the Americas
Latin America also witnessed a significant surge in 5G adoption, doubling its 5G connections in one year to 76 million by 2024 year-end—up from 38.5 million in 2023. Despite rapid 5G frowth, 4G LTE remains the dominant technology, with 593 million users, accounting for 74% of all wireless connections in the region.
As of March 2025, global deployments of 5G and 4G LTE networks are as follows:
5G:
• Global: 354
• North America: 18
• Latin America and Caribbean: 53
4G LTE:
• Global: 706
• North America: 18
• Latin America and Caribbean: 134
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