A total of 70 operators in 40 countries have now launched 3GPP-compliant 5G networks, according to new figures from the Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA).
A further 381 operators in 123 countries are investing in 5G.
Of the live commercial networks, GSA data finds that there are now 63 operators live with 3GPP-compliant 5G mobile services (57 full launches, 6 limited availability launches), while 34 have launched similarly compliant 5G fixed wireless access (FWA) or home broadband services (27 full launches, 7 limited availability launches).
“5G remains on track to become the fastest-adopted mobile technology ever,” Joe Barrett, President, GSA, said this week. “Not only are we seeing milestone after milestone being passed in 5G network deployments, but also in commercial 5G device launches.”
Coronavirus impact
“This month alone we’ve hit 70 operators with live 5G services and over 250 announced 5G devices, of which at least 67 are commercially available today. Regulators, operators and vendors are all working hard so that this year will see more spectrum auctioned or allocated, more 5G mobile and fixed wireless access services launched, and even more devices across all form factors come to market,” he added.
The longer-term impact of coronavirus on 5G is yet to be seen but according to an intelligence report published by the GSMA, “5G will be the hardest hit [sector in mobile]. Consumers are not going to stop using mobile phones, but most will not be in a position to spend more on a service which is still very much seen as a nice to have.
“With ARPU already stagnating, [mobile network operators] will struggle to generate the revenue streams required for a major technology build-out.”