The 2-Z of 2026 technology predictions starts with:
2 is for 2-factor authentication (2FA)
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| Source: HID. Patil. |
"Biometrics has evolved from an optional feature into a practical layer of identity assurance. Its use now extends beyond traditional access control to emerging applications such as payment authentication, while continuing to complement mobile credentials and strengthen multifactor strategies where it matters most.
"The widespread adoption of hybrid and mobile authentication confirms that organisations are prioritising identity strategies not just as a technical requirement, but as a core component of operational efficiency and trust," said Prabhuraj Patil, Senior Director, Physical Access Control Solutions, Asean & India Subcontinent at HID.
"2025 reshaped how secure access is understood: digital trust moved from aspiration to execution, and identity now plays an increasingly central role in modern security. Users demand convenience; organisations demand robust security as they respond to evolving compliance expectations and identity access requirements. These signals carry into 2026, accelerating investment in identity and pushing digital trust to meet higher user and regulatory expectations."
5 is for 5G Standalone
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| Source: November 2025 Ericsson Mobility Report. Mobile services by technology (B). 2 This does not include early uptake of AI-enabled IoT devices such as autonomous vehicles, smart glasses and drones. |
More communications service providers (CSPs) are offering differentiated connectivity commercial models based on 5G Standalone (SA) network slicing - where CSPs guarantee quality of service for customer use cases through the allocation of slices of the network, according to the November 2025 Ericsson Mobility Report (EMR).
More than 90 CSPs globally have now launched/soft-launched 5G SA networks - an increase of about 30 CSPs from the same period in 2024, and 20 more compared to the June 2025 edition of the EMR report.
EMR researchers identified 118 cases - across 56 CSPs - where network slicing is used to provide differentiated connectivity services. Of the 118 cases, 65 have moved beyond proof of concept and into commercial services, across 33 CSPs. These are either subscription services or add-on packages for consumer or enterprise customers. Twenty-one of the 65 commercial offerings - almost one third - were launched during 2025 alone.
In Singapore, consumers have indicated a growing emphasis on the experience of connectivity as opposed to the pure capacity of data buckets available today. Singtel’s network upgrades have provided up to a 40% increase in signal strength in high-rise indoor and underground spaces, clear service differentiation addressing a common concern for residents of a densely-populated city.
“We see that service providers around the world are keen to embrace and deploy 5G SA to offer differentiated connectivity based on value services and not just data volume packages,” EMR publisher and Ericsson CTO, Erik Ekudden said.
“As reflected in the case studies in this EMR edition, 5G SA is already enabling differentiated connectivity opportunities. We’ve seen many service providers go from proof-of-concept to commercial deployment in 2025 alone, and we expect to see that trend continuing.”
5G networks are expected to manage 43% of all mobile data by the close of 2025. EMR experts forecast this to increase to 83% in 2031.
EMR highlights include:
- One in three Singaporeans are now willing to pay for assured performance – an early indicator of premium connectivity demand.
- Singapore is among the most advanced markets in deploying consumer tiers backed by network slicing. Few markets are as mature as Singapore. These developments position Singapore at the forefront of the next telco revenue model as operators look beyond traditional data bundles.
The report also highlights strong momentum across Asia:
- By end-2025, 50% of the global population outside China have 5G coverage – an increase of 400 M people compared to 2024.
- 5G subscriptions in Southeast Asia and Oceania are forecast to reach around 680 million in 2031. The region is seeing emerging experience-led 5G services such as boost packs and tiered experiences enabled by 5G SA and slicing.
- More than 1 billion 5G subscriptions are expected by the end of 2031 in India, Nepal and Bhutan, totalling 79% subscription penetration.
- For the GCC region, mobile subscriptions are expected to reach 97 M in 2031. 5G subscriptions are expected to account for 92% of these mobile subscriptions.
- The Asia-Pacific region (APAC) is set to account for 50% of global 5G fixed wireless access (FWA) connections by 2031 as adoption accelerates across populous markets. EMR researchers have identified 159 providers that currently offer FWA services via 5G - amounting to approximately 65% of all FWA service providers.
- Enhanced mobile broadband, a 5G use case, is forecast to top 6.4 B 5G subscriptions by the end of 2031, comprising about two-thirds of all mobile subscriptions at the time. Some 4.1 B of these subscriptions - about 65% - are forecast to be 5G SA.
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Read the EMR at https://www.ericsson.com/en/reports-and-papers/mobility-report/reports/november-2025
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