There are now 200 5G networks in 87 countries across the world

(Paradigm credit: samsung)

The number of commercially available 5G services reached 200 by the end of 2021, according to the Global Suppliers Association (GSA), which says 99 operators were at least evaluating standalone (SA 5G) technology.

As many equally 78 nations now had at to the lowest degree one standards-compliant 5G network, while the GSA's terminate of twelvemonth report also constitute that iv fifths of 5G operators had launched a 5G Stock-still Wireless Access (FWA) broadband service.

This progress is indicative of the potential of next generation networks to offering a genuine alternative to stock-still-line connectivity.

Global 5G networks

Overall, the industry body had identified at least 487 operators in 145 countries and territories who were at to the lowest degree at the planning stage of 5G – an increase from 412 terminal year. Some take held trials, acquired spectrum licenses, or fifty-fifty started the procedure of deployment but had not yet switched on the network for customers.

Virtually all commercial 5G deployments to date accept relied on Not-standalone 5G (NSA 5G), which uses new radio technologies just yet relies on the underlying 4G core.

SA 5G uses a new virtual, cloud-based core that allows data to exist candy closer to the point of drove and enables features like network slicing. This allows for guaranteed speeds, enhanced reliability and ultra-low latency.Twenty operators in 16 countries have now launched a commercial SA 5G service.

This momentum is having an touch on on the device ecosystem. The GSA says 614 5G smartphones accept now been announced, an increase of 120% from 2020, a figure which rises to 1257 when other 5G devices such as routers, wearables, and tablets is taken into business relationship.

Many analysts have observed that 5G is the outset generation of mobile applied science where network availability has accelerated faster than consumer demand and the relevant application and device ecosystems. However, with 857 5G devices available to purchase today, an increment of 155% from last yr, consumers certainly have plenty of selection.

A separate study from Juniper Research predicts 5G revenues will reach $600 billion inside five years, while Ericsson believes there are now 600 subscribers globally.

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Steve McCaskill is TechRadar Pro's resident mobile industry expert, covering all aspects of the UK and global news, from operators to service providers and everything in betwixt. He is a former editor of Silicon Great britain and journalist with over a decade's feel in the technology industry, writing about technology, in detail, telecoms, mobile and sports tech, sports, video games and media.