According to the latest statistics from Taiwan's National Communications Commission (NCC), the total number of mobile communication users in Taiwan reached 30.107 million in the third quarter of 2023, showing a decrease of 39,000 users compared to the previous quarter. Meanwhile, the number of 5G users officially surpassed 8 million, reaching a cumulative total of 80.31 million users, with a quarterly increase of 426,000 users. Benefiting from the relatively higher monthly fees of 5G compared to 4G, the overall Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) for mobile communication in Taiwan reached NT$466.9 (US$15.3; US$1=NT$30.5) in the third quarter of 2023, showing a quarterly increase of NT$6.7.
Looking ahead to 2024, the penetration rate of global 5G smartphones in 2024 is expected to continue to ascend to 68%, albeit at a decelerated growth rate attributed to challenging market conditions, according to MIC (Market Intelligence & Consulting Institute). MIC anticipates global 5G smartphone shipments to reach 780 million units in 2024. Furthermore, the projected global shipment volume for 5G smartphones in 2027 is estimated at 10.3 billion units, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 9.4% for the period 2023-2027. MIC operates as a division of the Institute for Information Industry (III), a prominent government think tank and IT research institute in Taiwan.