The research anticipated that operators will capitalise on revenue streams beyond smartphones as geographical 5G coverage expands

5G to generate 77% of operator revenue worldwide over 5 years. Source: pexels.com

According to Juniper Research, revenue generated from 5G services will reach $600 billion by 2026, representing 77% of global operator-billed revenue.

Interestingly, 5G services adoption across consumer and IoT sectors has been driven by a strong uptake of 5G-capable devices, coupled with attractive 5G subscription pricing models, despite the semiconductor crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The report expects that the amount of cellular data generated will reach 2,900 exabytes by 2026, rising from 720 exabytes in 2021. This represents a growth of 300% over the next 5 years. It predicts that this growth will be driven by increasing demand for data over 5G connections and substantial growth in cellular IoT devices.

Cellular IoT devices, including smart city devices, smart home sensors and connected agriculture, will grow substantially over the next five years. By 2026, the research predicts that the number of cellular IoT devices will reach 6 billion; exceeding the global number of smartphones for the first time.