• In Q3 2024, 23% of smartphone shipments in Colombia were 5G enabled.

• 5G smartphone shipments grew 4x faster than LTE and 6x faster than the overall market in Q3 2024.

• The third most-subscribed mobile technology generation in Colombia is 5G, with triple-digit growth QoQ.

In December 2023, Colombia’s Ministry of Technologies and Communications (MinTic) concluded the much-awaited auction of 5G spectrum. All major mobile operators in the country participated in the auction – Claro Colombia, Tigo Colombia joined by Movistar Colombia, and WOM. Brazil’s Telecall also participated, looking to become an internet provider in the market. Smartphone OEMs had started shipping their 5G devices even before the auction. Since then, 5G smartphone shipments have outgrown the overall market. Counterpoint’s Market Monitor service analyzed the trends behind this growth.

5G Smartphone Shipment Share in Colombia

Even as 4G smartphones based on LTE technology dominate the shipments with a 72% share, 5G shipments have grown 12% in volume since the auction. Moreover, 5G shipments have grown 4x faster than 4G, which grew 3%, and 6x faster than the overall market to reach a 23% share in Q3 2024. The overall market’s shipments grew only 2% compared to Q4 2023.

Brands driving 5G growth in Colombia

Major smartphone brands had a 67% share of 5G shipments in Q3 20204. [RG1]

• Samsung was the market’s 5G leader with a 25% share in Q3 2024. Despite its shipment volume being 33% less since Q4 2023, it remained the leader driven by its focus on the A series, which dominates the market’s mid-price segment (<$249 wholesale price).

• Xiaomi is firing on all cylinders in Colombia. It had a 22% share in Q3 2024, with its 5G shipments growing 180% since the December auction. Surprisingly, Xiaomi’s bestsellers in the country are 4G versions of the Redmi 13C and Redmi Note 13.

• Motorola has the Moto G34 spearheading its growth to reach 20% share of the 5G shipments in Q3 2024. Also, Motorola has become the fastest-growing major brand in the 5G segment in Colombia with a 225% increase since Q4 2023.

5G subscriber base

Colombia’s 5G subscriber base is also expanding. Consumers have started to recognize the benefits of 5G services, leading to the mobile industry benefitting from this trend.

Colombia Subscribers by Technology Generation

In Colombia, the Communications Regulatory Commission (CRC) in collaboration with MinTic tracks all sorts of data related to the telecommunications sector. 5G subscribers reached 2.1 million in Q2 2024, according to the CRC, making 5G the third most-subscribed technology. This technology registered 116% growth QoQ, besides being the only one growing on a quarterly basis. The growth came mainly from the postpaid segment, which surpassed 1.7 million subscribers.

However, 5G is still very far from the 40.9 million 4G subscribers that dominated the market during the abovementioned period with 86% share. More growth is expected due to newer generations as the market moves towards having only two technologies. Smartphone OEMs will continue to push their 5G devices along with the mobile operators because they have become more profitable for both of them.