GSA highlighted that a minimum of 47 operators in 27 nations have already launched 5G SA networks

A complete of 121 operators in 55 nations and territories have invested in public 5G standalone (5G SA) networks as of the top of October, Jordan Cox, analysis supervisor on the International cellular Suppliers Affiliation (GSA), mentioned throughout a current webinar.

Cox mentioned that these investments in 5G SA embody launches, assessments, license acquisition and launch planning. Cox additionally famous that the deployment of 5G SA has been decrease than what had been anticipated in recent times. The analyst mentioned that operators investing within the 5G SA subject characterize 20.9% of the 578 operators recognized to be investing in 5G networks at a world scale.

Cox mentioned that one of many principal causes behind this slower adoption is the excessive prices of 5G SA deployments. “The shift to 5G SA calls for substantial funding in new {hardware} and software program,” he mentioned. Different elements slowing down the adoption of 5G SA are interoperability and market demand, Cox mentioned, including that some operators are ready to see confirmed use instances emerge earlier than investing in 5G SA networks.

Cox additionally highlighted that a minimum of 47 operators in 27 nations have now launched 5G SA networks, whereas a complete of 21 carriers are presently deploying 5G SA networks, with an extra 49 planning to launch the expertise. “North America and Asia are witnessing essentially the most substantial ranges of 5G SA launches,” he mentioned. Cox additionally famous that the Center East can also be seeing a excessive stage of exercise by way of 5G SA deployments, primarily within the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

In Europe, the GSA famous that operators in nations corresponding to France, Norway and Sweden are presently planning 5G SA networks, whereas operators in Poland are within the strategy of evaluating and testing 5G SA networks, stating that “these are clear indicators that 5G SA is about for continued progress over the following few years.”

Commenting on the worldwide deployment of 5G expertise, Cox highlighted that the GSA had recognized 578 operators in 173 nations investing in 5G. Of those, 300 operators in 114 nations had already launched or soft-launched 5G providers.

The GSA added that 290 operators had already launched or soft-launched 5G cellular providers, whereas 152 operators had launched or soft-launched 5G FWA providers.

Through the webinar, Cox additionally highlighted that 1,148 organizations are recognized to be deploying LTE or 5G personal networks at a world scale as of July. Of these, 537, or 44% are utilizing 5G expertise. Additionally, the GSA famous that 68 of these organizations utilizing 5G are recognized to be utilizing 5G SA networks.

Cox additionally mentioned that the GSA is conscious of a minimum of 2,005 introduced gadgets with help for 5G SA as of October 2023, representing a rise of 192% for the reason that finish of 2021. Of these gadgets, 1,703 are already commercially accessible, representing a hike of 232% for the reason that finish of 2021.

As of October 2023, telephones make up over 63% of the industrial 5G SA gadgets, Cox added.