5G technology is quickly gaining traction in the Asia-Pacific region, with its compound annual growth rate (CAGR) projected to climb by 11.4%. This surge is anticipated to elevate the number of 5G connections from 2.7 billion in 2025 to 4.6 billion by 2030. The escalation is primarily attributed to the increasing availability of cost-effective 5G devices, continual network expansions, particularly in India, Malaysia, and Thailand, and the imminent unveiling of services in Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Government initiatives, corporate digital transformation efforts, and the burgeoning demand for high-performance connectivity necessary for evolving application areas are the primary drivers of this growth. Emerging application areas include smart manufacturing, autonomous mobility, and cloud gaming. Additionally, government and telecom regulatory bodies in Australia, China, India, South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan have introduced national 5G strategies and action plans. These outline the vision and guidelines to establish 5G ecosystems, expand 5G coverage, and drive adoption. These strategies feature supporting initiatives such as public sector investment in 5G applications, favorable tax incentives, industry-government collaboration forums, promotion of 5G-led technological innovations, and license arrangements to optimize spectrum use.
China is projected to maintain its position as the world’s largest 5G market throughout the forecast period. Approximately 75% of its total mobile subscriptions are expected to be on a 5G network by 2029, fueled by investment and regulatory efforts to extend 5G service coverage to rural areas and industrial parks. For instance, China had installed close to 4.2 million 5G base stations by 2024, increasing this figure to 4.6 million by the end of September 2025, significantly enhancing its network capacity and coverage. This continued expansion of 5G networks by telecom operators is also propelling the market forward throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
Regional telecom companies are planning to invest approximately USD 254 billion in network infrastructure by 2030, with a primary focus on 5G deployments. These expansions present telecom companies with opportunities to increase revenue through the sale of premium 5G mobile plans and the provision of enterprise connectivity solutions, such as private 5G. The synergy of 5G’s speed and reliability with emerging technologies like AI, data analytics, and M2M/IoT will allow telecom companies to innovate and extend their customer base into sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, and mining.
What is the projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5G in the Asia-Pacific region?
The CAGR of 5G in the Asia-Pacific region is expected to be 11.4%.
Which country is anticipated to remain the world’s largest 5G market?
China is projected to retain its position as the world’s largest 5G market.
What is the planned investment by regional telecom companies in network infrastructure by 2030?
Regional telecom companies plan to invest an estimated USD 254 billion in network infrastructure by 2030, primarily focusing on 5G deployments.
