A surge in data roaming is poised to take center stage, driven by the escalating adoption of 5G services among consumers, according to research conducted by Kaleido. The study foresees a substantial 36% annual increase in both consumer and IoT roaming data usage, projecting a remarkable climb to nearly 5,000 Petabytes by the year 2024.
Kaleido’s findings unveil that 5G roaming options are now accessible in over 60 international markets. Notably, these deployments continue to operate on 5G NSA (Non Standalone) network modes, leveraging the existing 4G infrastructure. The report also highlights that the number of active 5G roamers is set to surpass 100 million for the first time in 2024.
Furthermore, the research by Kaleido indicates that the ongoing adoption of BCE (billing and charging evolution) and access-based charging models by service providers will contribute to a substantial 79% increase in IoT roaming revenues compared to 2019 levels.
Chief Analyst Nitin Bhas of Kaleido emphasized, “In 2023, several operators actively expedited the testing and implementation of essential core products and functions for 5G SA roaming.” Bhas anticipates that initial 5G SA roaming commercial deployments will likely emerge in 2024, with a particular focus on Asian and European markets, followed by expanded availability in Europe and North America.
Contrary to earlier projections by Juniper Research estimating roaming data revenue at $10 billion in 2024, Kaleido’s report offers a broader market perspective, potentially explaining the substantial variance. The surge in 5G roaming activity is poised to reshape the landscape of international data usage, marking a significant leap forward in the realm of connectivity and technological evolution.
