IDC Market Forecast Figure

Figure: U.S. 5G Mobile Subscribers Snapshot

Executive Summary

Advice for Technology Suppliers

Underpromise and Overdeliver on 5G

Make 5G's Impact and ROI Visible

Partner with the 5G Hardware OEMs to Accelerate Non–Phone Device Development and Commercialization

Market Forecast

Table: U.S. 5G Mobile Subscribers and IoT Cellular Connections, 2020–2026 (M)

Figure: U.S. 5G Mobile Subscribers and IoT Connections Share, 2021 and 2026

Table: U.S. 5G Mobile Connections by Generation, 2020–2026 (M)

Table: U.S. 5G Mobile Consumer and Business Subscribers, 2020–2026 (M)

Figure: U.S. 5G Mobile Consumer and Business Subscribers Share, 2021 and 2026

Market Context

Drivers and Inhibitors

Drivers

5G Access No Longer a Premium Service

5G Functionality Becoming Standard on Mobile Phones

Data Consumption Continues to Grow

Inhibitors

5G's Tangible Impact to the User Experience Remains Imperceptible

5G Connectivity Beyond the Smartphone Is Slow to Develop

Significant Market Developments

Midband Spectrum Deployment Key in Making Meaningful 5G Accessible

Changes from Prior Forecast

Table: U.S. 5G Mobile Subscribers, 2018–2026: Comparison of March 2021 and September 2022 Forecasts (M)

Figure: U.S. 5G Mobile Subscribers, 2018–2026: Comparison of March 2021 and September 2022 Forecasts

Market Definition

Methodology

Related Research