The future is even more electrifying: 5G connections are projected to reach 8.3 billion by 2029, seizing a dominant 59% share of global wireless technologies. And it's not just mobile devices leading the charge—the Internet of Things (IoT) is exploding, with 438 million new connections in 2024 alone, pushing the global total to 3.6 billion.
North America: The 5G Powerhouse
“Reaching 2.25 billion 5G connections globally is a game-changer,” said Viet Nguyen, President of 5G Americas. “But let’s be clear - North America is setting the pace.”
And the numbers prove it. North America wrapped up 2024 with a massive 289 million 5G connections, marking a jaw-dropping 67% year-over-year increase from 196 million in 2023. This puts 77% of the region’s population under 5G coverage, far outpacing previous wireless generations - 4G LTE had only reached 47% coverage in 2014 at the same stage.
But it’s not just about adoption—North America is the first region where the number of commercial 5G and 4G LTE networks has reached parity, underscoring the sheer speed and scale of next-gen deployment. Fueled by unprecedented industry investment, aggressive innovation, and forward-thinking policy, the region is spearheading cutting-edge applications in industrial automation, AI-driven connectivity, smart infrastructure, and telehealth.
“North America continues to lead the 5G revolution, surpassing all previous benchmarks and redefining global connectivity,” said Kristin Paulin, Principal Analyst at Omdia.
Latin America: 5G's Next Frontier
Latin America isn’t sitting on the sidelines. The region saw 5G adoption double in just one year, soaring from 38.5 million connections in 2023 to 76 million by the end of 2024. While 5G’s footprint expands rapidly, 4G LTE still dominates, with 593 million users, accounting for 74% of all wireless connections in the region.
Global 5G Deployments: Breaking Records
The race to deploy 5G networks is moving at breakneck speed, far outpacing 4G LTE’s rollout timeline. As of March 17, 2025, there are 354 commercial 5G networks worldwide—and counting. North America leads the way with network parity, making it the only region where 5G and LTE networks are equal in number. Europe is catching up, with 5G deployments now covering 72% of LTE networks.
5G vs. 4G LTE Networks (as of March 17, 2025):
5G Networks:
- Global: 354
- North America: 18
- Latin America & Caribbean: 53
4G LTE Networks:
- Global: 706
- North America: 18
- Latin America & Caribbean: 134
The Bottom Line
5G isn’t just the future—it’s happening now. With connections surging, IoT skyrocketing, and network deployments accelerating at an unprecedented pace, the world is stepping into a new era of connectivity.
One thing is clear: The 5G revolution is unstoppable. The question is, how are you preparing your workforce?
