Which countries have already deployed widespread 5G networks?
As of now, several countries have deployed widespread 5G networks, including China, South Korea, the United States, and the United Kingdom. These countries have made significant progress in rolling out 5G technologies and infrastructure in major cities and regions.
Long answer
Several countries have taken substantial steps towards deploying widespread 5G networks. China leads in this aspect, with its government promoting aggressive 5G expansion plans. Major Chinese telecommunication companies such as Huawei and ZTE are heavily involved in the development of their domestic 5G infrastructure. Notably, China has achieved significant coverage across its urban areas.
South Korea is another frontrunner in terms of 5G deployment. It was one of the first countries to launch commercial 5G networks in April 2019. South Korean telecom operators like SK Telecom, KT Corporation, and LG Uplus have invested heavily in expanding their infrastructure to provide broad coverage and support for various applications.
The United States has also made significant strides in widespread 5G deployment. Multiple carriers such as Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile have launched their respective 5G networks across numerous cities. However, there is variation in coverage between urban and rural areas due to the sheer size of the country.
In the United Kingdom, all four major mobile network operators (EE, O2, Three UK, Vodafone) have started rolling out their 5G networks across key cities like London, Manchester, Birmingham, and others. The UK government aims to achieve nationwide coverage by investing in improved infrastructure.
Other nations that have made notable progress include Germany with its Deutsche Telekom leading the initiative; Japan where NTT DoCoMo introduced limited coverage during the Rugby World Cup in 2019; Italy with Telecom Italia launching services in select cities; and Australia where Telstra currently operates commercially available 5G networks.
It’s important to note that although these countries have already deployed widespread 5G networks, the extent and quality of coverage may differ between urban and rural areas. Furthermore, with ongoing advancements in 5G technology, other countries are likely to join this list in the coming years.