Shipment value of the global communications industry is expected to register 8.1% year-on-year growth at US$613.3 billion, bolstered mainly by the increased demand from four major communications sectors: consumer mobile devices (such as smartphone), 5G telecom networks, enterprise networks, and datacenters, according to MIC (Market Intelligence * Consulting Institute), a major government think tank in Taiwan and leading IT research institute in Asia. Consumer mobile devices will still account for 70% despite the COVID-19 has hit the global shipments hard in 2020. “Amid the pandemic and China-U.S. trade war, the continued 5G commercialization has led to 18.4% year-on-year growth of 5G smartphone shipments in 2020, reaching 230 million units, and China has ” said Welber Chang, director at MIC.

Global 5G Smartphone Shipment Volume, 2019-2024

Source: MIC, October 2020

Amid the COVID-19 outbreak, 5G smartphone shipment volume is anticipated to still reach 230 million units with 18.4% penetration rate. In addition, shipment volume is forecast to register a whopping 136% growth in 2021 compared to 2020 and reach 540 million units, with China accounting for over 60% of the global 5G phone shipments. Despite the Huawei Ban, Huawei still managed to rank first in 5G smartphone shipment volume at 33%, followed by Apple’s 31%, and Samsung’s 13%).

5G Smartphone Shipment Volume Share Ranking, 2020

Source: MIC, October 2020

"Three key trends are expected to drive the global 5G telecommunications industry in 2021. First is the replacement demand of 5G smartphones following the optimization of screen, lens, and AI while staying tuned of the future development of Huawei. Second, whether global 5G commercialization go as planned to give telecom operators higher ARPU than 4G. Third, whether 25G optics is on the rise in 5G. Staying tuned to see how these three trends is essential.",

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