According to a new report released on Tuesday, global 5G IoT (Internet of Things) connections will reach 116 million by 2026, up from 17 million in 2023.

The healthcare sector and smart city services, according to Juniper Research, will drive this 1,100% growth over the next three years.

“5G will allow for more efficient and dynamic healthcare delivery, which was not possible with 4G or Wi-Fi. However, healthcare providers must first implement 5G in areas that offer a high return on investment, such as connected emergency services “Olivia Williams, a research co-author, stated.

According to the report, the healthcare and smart cities markets will account for more than 60% of 5G IoT devices by 2026.

Furthermore, due to their low cost of deployment and ability to carry large amounts of data, 5G networks are expected to see significant growth in smart city services, according to the report.

There will be over 60 million 5G smart city connections globally by 2026, and the report urges city-planning authorities to leverage 5G connectivity as high-bandwidth gateways.

The report also discovered that transportation network monitoring, including road and rail networks, will be critical service that will necessitate 5G-enabled high-bandwidth cellular connectivity.