The fifth-generation technology standard for mobile broadband promises faster speeds, lower latency, and the ability to connect more devices simultaneously, so it's no surprise that many countries are racing to get ahead in the race to deploy 5G.
Leading the technological race is South Korea, which launched its 5G network in April 2019, becoming the first country to adopt the new technology. Since then, South Korea’s three major telecommunications companies, SK Telecom, KT, and LG Uplus, have been aggressively expanding their 5G infrastructure.
According to the Ministry of Science and ICT of South Korea, as of the end of 2020, the country had more than 15 million 5G subscribers, accounting for more than 20% of the total number of mobile users.
China, the world's largest smartphone market, is no slouch either. The country has made significant strides in its 5G rollout, with its three state-owned telecom giants, China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom, leading the way.
As of December 2020, China had more than 200 million 5G users, making it the world's largest 5G market. Furthermore, the country has rolled out plans to install more than 600,000 5G base stations by the end of 2021, significantly enhancing 5G coverage nationwide.
Known for its technological prowess, the United States is also a key player in the 5G race. The country's major carriers (AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile) have been gradually rolling out their 5G networks across different states.
Although the US had a slower start than South Korea and China, it has made significant progress, with more than 50% of Americans now having access to 5G networks.
While lagging behind Asia and the US, Europe is making notable progress in rolling out 5G networks. The UK, Germany and Switzerland are leading the way in the region. The UK, for example, launched 5G services in May 2019 and is expected to have 5G coverage across much of the country by 2027.
Germany is focusing on developing 5G infrastructure, in which Deutsche Telekom, Germany's largest telecommunications company, plays a pivotal role.
Finally, the Gulf region, particularly the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia, has made significant strides in 5G deployment. The UAE was one of the first countries in the Middle East to deploy 5G, with telecom operators Etisalat and Du leading the way. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has been rapidly expanding its 5G network, with Saudi Telecom Company (STC) and Zain Saudi leading the way.
In short, the race to deploy 5G is heating up, with many countries around the world trying to take advantage of this transformative technology. South Korea, China, the United States, and several European and Gulf countries are currently leading the race. However, this is a very dynamic and ever-expanding technology sector, so it is not out of the question that this race will see new and promising competitors in the coming years.
(according to Investopedia)
Source
Comment (0)