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Jasper Hart
June 5, 2020
Switzerland led the way in Europe with South Korea atop the global pile
The UK is currently the second-biggest 5G market in Europe, and the sixth-biggest in the world, according to new research from analyst firm Omdia.
Omdia’s research found that South Korea has become the global market leader for 5G mobile deployment, having reached 4.67 million subscribers at the end of December. The rest of the global top five is comprised of Kuwait, Switzerland, the USA, and Qatar.
The rankings are based on spectrum availability; the number of service provider 5G launches; the proportion of population covered by live 5G networks; the proportion of total active 5G mobile services; and an assessment of the country’s 5G ecosystem in terms of the ways governments have included 5G deployment in their policies, vendor investment and other factors.
“The UK government has identified 5G as a key technology to assist in its goal in delivering nationwide Gigabit broadband by 2025,” said Omdia principal analyst Stephen Myers. “The UK government’s £1.1 billion digital connectivity package, including the £400 million Digital Infrastructure Investment FUnd will support investment in new fixed and mobile networks, through programs such as the 5G Testbeds and Trials Programme.”
Myers also noted the UK’s potential to maintain its strong position in terms of 5G rollout: “Right now the UK is second only to Switzerland in terms of 5G deployment in the European market and as things stand is well positioned to lead its continental rivals in the deployment of 5G – giving it a potential advantage in terms of developing next-generation industries.”