Telecom
Ericsson’s Consumer Study Shows 5G is Already Paving the Path to the Metaverse
As 5G uptake in many parts of the world bridges the milestone from early adopters to mass adoption, major new Ericsson research – the industry’s largest global study of its kind to date – underlines consumers’ growing commitment to 5G and their expectations on next-generation uses cases.
Called 5G: The Next Wave, the Ericsson ConsumerLab report addresses the impact 5G has had on early adopter consumers since launching in various countries, as well as gauging the intention of non-5G subscribers to take up the technology – and their related expectations.
The report forecasts that at least 30 percent of smartphone users intend to take up a 5G subscription within the next year.
The mix of Ericsson tracking data covering 5G launches since 2019, and the new consumer survey, has enabled Ericsson ConsumerLab to identify six key trends impacting the next wave of 5G adoption.
The report covers the behavioral changes triggered by the bundling of digital services into 5G plans by communications service providers – particularly the increased use of enhanced video and augmented reality (AR) apps.
The report also addresses the speed of mainstream 5G adoption, whether consumer demands are being met, and 5G-related changes in smartphone behavior – and their impact on network traffic.
More than 49,000 consumers in 37 countries were interviewed in the research – the largest global 5G-related consumer survey in the industry to date and the largest consumer survey conducted by Ericsson on any topic. The survey scope is representative of the opinions of about 1.7 billion consumers worldwide, including 430 million 5G subscribers.
Jasmeet Singh Sethi, Head of Ericsson ConsumerLab, says: “The scale of the research gives us an authentic insight into consumers’ views and attitudes to 5G. The report shows that the next wave of potential 5G users have different expectations from the technology compared to early adopters. Overall, consumers see engaging with 5G as an essential part of their future lifestyles.”
He adds: “It is interesting to note that 5G is emerging as an important enabler for early adopters to embrace metaverse-related services, such as socializing, playing and buying digital items in interactive 3D virtual gaming platforms. The amount of time spent on augmented reality apps by 5G users has also doubled over the past two years, compared to 4G users.”
The report forecasts that 5G consumers with experience of using extended reality (XR) functionality are likely to be the first to embrace future devices as they are more positive about the potential of mixed-reality glasses.
Half of 5G users who already use XR-related services weekly think that AR apps will move from smartphones to XR headsets within the next two years, compared to one-third of 4G consumer who hold this view.
5G – the Next Wave Report: Six key trends
- 5G adoption to be inflation resilient: At least 510 million consumers across 37 markets are likely to take up 5G in 2023.
- The demanding next wave of users: The next wave of 5G users have high expectations on 5G performance, especially network coverage, compared to early adopters — who care about new innovative services enabled by 5G.
- Perceived 5G availability is emerging as the new satisfaction benchmark among consumers. Geographical coverage, indoor/outdoor coverage, and congregation hot-spot coverage are more important to building a user perception than population coverage.
- 5G is pushing up usage of enhanced video and augmented reality. Over the past two years, time spent on AR apps by 5G users has doubled to two hours per week.
- 5G monetization models are expected to evolve: Six in 10 consumers expect 5G offerings to move beyond more data volume and speeds to on-demand tailored network capabilities for specific needs.
- 5G adoption is setting the path to the metaverse. 5G users on average are already spending one hour more per-week in metaverse-related services than 4G users. They also expect two hours of more video content will be consumed weekly on mobile devices, 1.5 hours of which will be on AR/VR glasses by 2025.
In the true spirit of the festive season, Globacom has introduced “Glo Take a Guess,” a new value-added service designed to entertain, engage, and reward subscribers across Nigeria.
The interactive trivia game lets customers test their knowledge of everyday topics and lifestyle trends for a chance to win airtime, data, and exciting cash prizes.
According to Globacom, subscribers can join the fun by dialing 209992# and choosing from daily, weekly, or monthly plans. Once subscribed, they’ll receive an SMS confirmation with a link to play.
“Participants stand a chance to win fantastic rewards, including airtime, data, and cash prizes, when they answer trivia questions correctly,” the company explained. “It’s a fun and rewarding experience for everyone.”
Subscription costs ₦100 per day, ₦300 per week, or ₦500 per month — with corresponding rewards of ₦10,000 daily, ₦100,000 weekly, and up to ₦1 million monthly. The more subscribers play, the greater their chances of winning.
Globacom added that “Glo Take a Guess” is more than just a game — it’s a lighthearted way to stay entertained and earn rewards while easing the pressures of rising living costs.
It was a display of brilliance and composure as young Nigerians, aged 9 to 15, showcased their spelling prowess in the Enugu regional final of the MTN mPulse Spelling Bee on Saturday, November 1, 2025, held at the International Conference Centre, Enugu. After an electrifying one-hour showdown among 20 contestants, seven young spellers earned the right to compete in the grand finale in Lagos.
These excited champions, Nelson Ede Chidubem, Praise Ihionu, Emeka Nwaokocha Samuel, Treasure Oyibosu, Michelle Atanu Ufedo, Munachimso Onyemaechi, and Oyingba Douglas-Naingba, have been presented with their tags for the grand finale and will advance to Lagos, where they will join other regional winners to contend for the national title.
As part of the event, gift vouchers were presented to children and parents through questions and answers, adding a festive touch to the competition.
In his remarks, Honourable Emeka Nelson Nwagbo, Senior Special Adviser on Youth Mobilisation, Enugu West, said, “This initiative has not only encouraged academic excellence but also inspired our young leaders to pursue knowledge with confidence and pride. To the organisers, teachers, parents, and participants, thank you for making this event a success. Your dedication and support have truly made today memorable.
Once again, we say a big thank you to MTN Nigeria. We are happy that the brand is working in line with the vision of the Governor concerning smart schools. We look forward to more collaborations that will continue to empower our kids and youths,” he concluded.
Honourable Paul Ogbewe Okechukwu, Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth Mobilisation, Enugu East, also commended MTN for fostering literacy and healthy competition among teens, and for hosting the first physical regional finals in Enugu.
Addressing the participants, Temilolu Salako, Senior Manager, Segment Marketing, Youth, Women, & Teen, MTN Nigeria, said, “At MTN, we believe in the power of connectivity and technology to transform lives and build a brighter future for everyone. My team and I are here to inspire, support, and guide you on your journey to success. Together, we can achieve great things and make a lasting impact.”
With the seven winners from the Enugu regional final now advancing to the grand finale in Lagos, attention shifts to the next rounds of the MTN mPulse Spelling Bee regional finals, scheduled to hold in Abuja on November 8 and Ibadan on November 15, 2025.
Telecommunications giant, Globacom, has launched an exciting new lottery service — Glo Play Up — designed to blend fun, anticipation, and the prospect of life-changing rewards for its subscribers.
Glo Play Up offers Nigerians a simple yet thrilling opportunity to turn small predictions into multi-million-naira wins. The game invites subscribers to pick a lucky number between 1 and 9 for a chance to strike gold.
To participate, Glo customers simply dial *400# or send their chosen number via SMS to 400. Each entry costs just ₦100, and players can either subscribe daily or play on demand — whenever inspiration strikes.
In a statement issued in Lagos, Globacom described the initiative as more than just a game of chance, but a celebration of hope and possibility.
“We understand the optimism and adventurous spirit of Nigerians,” the company explained. “People love to dream, play, and believe in the power of that one big win. Glo Play Up makes that dream more attainable — it’s easy to play, affordable, and truly rewarding.”
Every Friday at 4 p.m., a weekly draw will take place at Glo’s Head Office, where ten lucky subscribers will each receive ₦1 million. In addition, a grand prize winner will be announced monthly, walking away with an impressive ₦10 million. Winners will be hosted at their nearest Glo Regional Office, and all cash prizes will be credited directly into their MoneyMaster Wallet accounts.
With Glo Play Up, entertainment meets empowerment — reinforcing Globacom’s commitment to innovation, connection, and customer delight. The service not only promises excitement but also the possibility of transforming lives through rewarding experiences.
For more information, visit https://www.gloworld.com/ng/glo-play-up-lottery
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