Standalone 5G gains momentum in UK
Western Europe leads the world when it comes to the implementation of standalone 5G networks. The UK in particular has seen this flourish, with three operators, level with Germany, and two more than France.
The stuttering rollout of 5G technologies has struggled to prompt public interest over recent years – with many viewing the upgrade of mobile internet as incremental compared to 4G. But much of this may be because the technology as most people experience it is still only a semi-skimmed version of its full potential.
5G Standalone (also known as 5G SA), is a standalone 5G network. Since the first launch of 5G in the UK, networks have been non-standalone, meaning that while they use a 5G Radio Access Network (RAN), the core of the network is largely the same as it was during the days of 4G. But 5G SA would mean the whole network has finally been upgraded with 5G-era technology, rather than using a mix of 5G and 4G tech.
Due to the cost and logistical limitations in place in the early phase of 5G – particularly amid the pandemic – non-standalone was cheaper and quicker to roll out. But now that networks have a respectable amount of 5G coverage, they’re starting to turn their attention to the core network so they can get the most out of 5G. And as they do, many of the benefits of 5G that have been hyped since before the first 5G networks even launched are finally coming into view.
As a result, research from Analysys Mason has found that appetites for 5G SA are growing. The firm’s 5G deployment tracker includes 381 entries from January 2018 to December 2024, and while no new 5G launches were recorded in either the Middle East and North Africa or North America in 2024, many other markets are looking to take advantage of the opportunity.
Sub-Saharan Africa continued to lead in 2024 in terms of the number of 5G networks launched; 10 5G networks were launched in seven countries in the region. The number of new 5G launches in Latin America (LATAM) increased from six in 2023 to eight in 2024 to match the previous peak seen in 2022. Operators in emerging Asia–Pacific also recorded eight new 5G launches across six countries. Five new 5G networks were launched in Central and Eastern Europe in 2024, while two new networks were launched in both developed Asia–Pacific and Western Europe.
However, the number of new 5G SA networks launched fell in 2024; 10 5G SA networks were launched worldwide, compared to 14 in 2023 and 18 in 2022. This meant that Western Europe retained its early leadership position in the market. The region has led in terms of 5G SA networks launched since the beginning of 2023, and there were seven new 5G SA launches in the region in 2024. These launches were in Finland, France, Germany, Greece and the UK. Western Europe now accounts for 31% of the 63 operational 5G SA networks worldwide.
In 2024, France finally launched its first 5G SA network, while Germany added one to its earlier two. But the UK seems to be the market with the most momentum currently. BT (trading as EE) launched the UK’s third 5G SA network in September 2024, with coverage in 15 major cities including Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow and London. This followed Virgin Media O2 launching services in February of the same year. Meanwhile, they followed from Vodafone, which become the first operator to launch 5G SA in the UK in June 2023.
