# Thailand Data Usage Outpaces Global Average by 2031 > Source: > Published: 2026-06-24 23:48:15.659333+00:00 ### What happened The Bangkok Post reports Ericsson finds Thailand's smartphone data usage at **34.4GB** per month in 2025, above the global average of **22GB** in 2025. Per the same report, Ericsson projects per-smartphone consumption to reach **56.1GB** per month by 2031 versus a projected global average of **40GB**. The Bangkok Post attributes the forecasted surge to **AI** applications, extended reality devices and video generation, and records Ericsson's estimate that AI uses roughly **eight times** more data than standard background traffic. The Bangkok Post also reports Thailand had about **33 million** 5G subscribers (about **36%** of subscriptions) in 2025, with a projection to more than **93 million** subscribers (**92%**) by 2031. ### Editorial analysis - technical context Increased use of high-bandwidth services such as XR, real-time video generation and large-scale AI inference typically raises both downlink and uplink demand, and often necessitates mid-band capacity for balanced coverage and throughput. Mid-band spectrum such as **3.5GHz** is commonly used in other markets to deliver the mix of speed and range required by these workloads. ### Context and significance Editorial analysis: For network planners and infrastructure teams, the combination of higher per-device throughput and a near-universal 5G subscriber base materially shifts capacity planning - especially for backhaul, edge sites and interconnects. Reported projections that Thailand's 5G penetration could reach **92%** by 2031 imply a scale-up in concurrent high-bandwidth sessions compared with 2025 levels. ### What to watch Editorial analysis: Observers should track regulatory moves on releasing **3.5GHz** spectrum, operator capital expenditure on mid-band and edge sites, and vendor announcements on XR- and AI-optimized network services. Also watch for operator reports that break down uplink versus downlink traffic to validate the Bangkok Post/Ericsson claim that AI and cloud syncs drive uploads. ## Scoring Rationale Regional telecom forecast from Ericsson covering Thailand 5G and data usage through 2031, with AI-driven traffic as a cited driver. Useful context for network planners and infrastructure teams but is a vendor forecast rather than a frontier AI development or model release, placing it solidly in the minor-to-solid range. Practice with real Ad Tech data 90 SQL & Python problems · 15 industry datasets [Active Search Campaigns by BudgetEasy](/problems/sql/active-search-campaigns-by-budget) [High CPC Clicks & Poor Landing PagesMedium](/problems/sql/high-cpc-clicks-poor-landing-page) [Campaign ROAS by Attribution ModelHard](/problems/sql/campaign-roas-by-attribution-model) 250 free problems · No credit card [See all Ad Tech problems](/problems/datasets/adtech)