Only 26% of mobile phone plans in Western Europe include 5G, putting the region in fourth place globally when it comes to access to the high-performing technology standard, a new report shows. According to the analysis by Swedish telecoms firm Ericsson published on Wednesday, “5G subscription penetration” by the end of 2023 was highest in North America with 59%, followed by North East Asia with 41% and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries at 34%. The GCC nations include Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The number of 5G subscriptions is on the ris…