6G: 2.4 Billion Connections Expected Worldwide by 2035

The sixth generation of mobile networks is approaching, and it is expected to reshape the global telecommunications landscape. According to forecasts from GSMA Intelligence, 6G could reach around 50 million connections worldwide in 2030, representing approximately 0.5% of total mobile connections.

Adoption is expected to accelerate over the following years, reaching 275 million connections in 2031 and nearly 740 million in 2032. The major expansion is forecast for 2033, when the number of 6G connections is expected to surpass the one-billion mark and reach around 1.3 billion.

Growth should continue in 2034, with approximately 1.9 billion connections, before reaching an estimated 2.4 billion by 2035.

GSMA Intelligence identifies two main stages in the early development of 6G. Between 2030 and 2032, the market is expected to be characterized mainly by initial commercial deployments and the gradual development of the wider ecosystem. From 2033 onward, the technology should enter a broader global expansion phase.

5G will remain the dominant technology

The arrival of 6G will not mean the immediate disappearance of previous generations of mobile networks. Instead, different technologies are expected to coexist for many years.

According to GSMA Intelligence, 5G could still account for around 60% of global mobile connections by the end of 2035. 6G is expected to reach a 23% share, while 4G would represent the remaining 17%.

Over the coming years, operators will therefore continue investing heavily in 5G infrastructure, expanding coverage and introducing more advanced technologies such as 5G Standalone and 5G-Advanced.

These developments will also help lay the foundations for the next generation of mobile connectivity, with 6G expected to build on several architectural and technological advances already being introduced into current networks.

China and advanced markets expected to lead adoption

The transition to 6G is unlikely to happen at the same pace everywhere. The first markets to embrace the technology are expected to be countries and regions that already have advanced mobile infrastructure and strong demand for high-performance connectivity.

East Asia, North America and parts of Europe are likely to be among the first areas to see significant 6G deployments. China, in particular, is expected to play a major role in terms of connection volumes, supported by the size of its mobile market and continued investment in telecommunications.

The presence of mature 5G networks, an established device ecosystem and growing demand for additional network capacity will all contribute to earlier 6G adoption in these markets.

Artificial intelligence and rising traffic will shape the next generation

The evolution of mobile connectivity will coincide with a substantial increase in data traffic. Global mobile traffic is expected to rise from around 204 exabytes per month to approximately 846 exabytes, corresponding to annual growth of about 15%.

Artificial intelligence will play an increasingly important role in this transformation. Its contribution will extend beyond consumer-facing applications, becoming an integral part of network development and management.

AI could help automate network operations, optimize the allocation of resources and manage increasingly complex traffic patterns more efficiently.

Another technology associated with 6G is ISAC, or Integrated Sensing and Communication, which combines communication and sensing capabilities within wireless infrastructure.

Supporting this evolution will also require additional spectrum resources and increasingly sophisticated automation systems.

The coming decade is therefore set to be an important period of transformation for telecommunications. Rather than immediately replacing 5G, 6G will gradually develop alongside existing networks, paving the way for mobile infrastructures that are increasingly intelligent, integrated and capable of supporting the demands of a highly connected digital society.

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