Global Commercial 5G Network on a Roll

The number of commercially launched 5G networks in the world has increased 75% since June 2019. According to an independent telecoms and mobile consultant Alan Hadden, the number of operators investing in 5G-related activities globally increased by 25% during the same period.

Hadden’s latest research also reveals that a total of 58 network operators across 32 countries have launched 5G services at a commercial level, while over 336 network operators are investing in setting up 5G network in 118 countries, including activities ranging from studies, technology trials, pilot networks, and commercial network deployments, and as indicated above, commercial service launches.

The research also examined the choice of spectrum used in 5G network deployments and found that over 50 operators (approaching 90%) were presently using sub-6GHz bands for commercial 5G services, and most of them were operating in the 3.4-3.8 GHz range. According to the report, four operators, however, were using the mmWave bands.

Overall, the countries where 5G services has already been launched commercially include: Australia, Austria, Bahrain, China, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Guam,

Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kuwait, Latvia, Lesotho, Libya, Maldives, Monaco, New Zealand, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Philippines, UAE, UK, Uruguay, and USA. However, the report suggests that the coverage areas in these countries may vary significantly.

The report also indicates that 3.5 GHz band dominates operators’ choice of spectrum for today’s 5G commercial networks. It indicates that while 48 operators or 82% of all 5G operators use spectrum within the range 3.4 – 3.8 GHz, over 90% or 52 5G operators offering commercial services use the sub 6 GHz spectrum.