What's Happening?
The deployment of 5G standalone (SA) networks is progressing globally, with significant regional variations, according to a report by Ookla and Omdia. While Europe has seen an increase in 5G SA rollouts, it lags behind Asia and North America in terms
of adoption and performance. The report highlights that North America leads in 5G SA adoption, while Asia, particularly China, dominates in availability. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region boasts the fastest 5G SA download speeds. Challenges such as budget constraints, complex multicloud environments, and multivendor interoperability issues are hindering further deployment, especially in Europe.
Why It's Important?
The expansion of 5G SA networks is crucial for enhancing mobile connectivity and enabling advanced applications like IoT and smart cities. However, the uneven progress and challenges faced by operators, particularly in Europe, could impact the global competitiveness of these regions. The ability to effectively deploy and monetize 5G SA networks will be a key determinant of economic growth and technological leadership. Regions that overcome these challenges may see significant advancements in digital infrastructure, while those that lag may face economic and technological disadvantages.
What's Next?
Operators are expected to focus on overcoming deployment challenges by investing in network optimization and addressing interoperability issues. Regulatory changes, such as the EU's upcoming review of merger guidelines and the implementation of the Digital Networks Act, may influence the pace and success of 5G SA rollouts in Europe. Additionally, countries with clear investment incentives and infrastructure policies are likely to see faster adoption and better performance of 5G SA networks.
