5G subscriptions across the Asia–Pacific region are expected to reach 4.6 billion by 2030, up from 2.7 billion in 2025, according to GlobalData.
The analyst house expects adoption to grow at a CAGR of 11.4%, driven by rising availability of low-cost 5G devices, ongoing network expansion in major markets, and upcoming commercial launches in Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
GlobalData telecom analyst Sarwat Zeeshan said government-backed digital strategies, enterprise transformation efforts and demand for high-speed, low-latency connectivity are all accelerating standalone 5G deployments. “The need for high-performance networks to support applications such as smart manufacturing, autonomous mobility and cloud gaming is driving 5G adoption across the region,” Zeeshan stated.
Several governments - including Australia, China, India, South Korea, Japan and Taiwan - have rolled out national 5G action plans aimed at developing domestic 5G ecosystems. These frameworks typically include public sector support for 5G use cases, tax incentives, industry–government collaboration, and regulatory measures to improve spectrum utilisation.
China is expected to remain the world’s largest 5G market through the forecast period. GlobalData anticipates that around 75% of China’s mobile subscriptions will be on 5G by 2029, supported by continued investment and policies to extend coverage to rural areas and industrial zones. China deployed roughly 4.2 million 5G base stations in 2024, increasing that figure to 4.6 million by September 2025.
Operators across APAC are also ramping up investments. GSMA estimates that regional telcos will spend US$254 billion on infrastructure through 2030, with much of this directed toward 5G. These rollouts are expected to create new revenue opportunities through premium 5G mobile plans as well as enterprise services, including private 5G networks.
Zeeshan noted that the combination of 5G with emerging technologies such as AI, data analytics and IoT will help operators expand into verticals including manufacturing, mining and healthcare. “APAC has become the centre of the technological race for 5G+,” Zeeshan said. “South Korea, Japan and China are already moving beyond deployment into developing broader 5G ecosystems, supporting their IT and manufacturing sectors and driving new IoT and M2M opportunities.”
