WHAT IS: 5G Network Rollout
Global 5G connections have surged to 2.25 billion, growing four times faster than 4G LTE did at a comparable stage.
The rollout of 5G marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of global connectivity. As demand for faster internet, lower latency, and broader device connectivity surges, 5G stands as the infrastructure backbone for next-generation innovations—from autonomous vehicles and smart cities to precision healthcare and industrial automation.
With over 2.25 billion 5G connections recorded by early 2025, adoption is accelerating rapidly. Yet, despite its promise, the road to full-scale 5G deployment is complex and uneven, shaped by technological, economic, and regulatory forces.
This article discusses the global rollout and adoption timeline of 5G, regional progress and disparities, shutting down legacy networks, and so on.
Oluwaseun Bamisile
Global Rollout and Adoption Timeline
5G’s journey began in earnest in 2019, when South Korea and the United States launched the world’s first commercial networks. These early rollouts were limited, focused on specific urban areas, and largely experimental, especially in high-frequency mmWave bands.
Yet they marked a turning point. By 2020, major carriers worldwide began investing in broader deployment, expanding to mid-band spectrum and integrating 5G into consumer and enterprise offerings.
The tipping point came around 2022, when 5G went mainstream. Smartphones with 5G capabilities became more affordable, infrastructure matured, and public awareness surged. By then, nations like China, South Korea, and the U.S. were already offering near-nationwide coverage in major population centers.
From that point, adoption snowballed, driven by growing demand for bandwidth-intensive applications, remote work infrastructure, and government-led digital transformation initiatives. As of 2024, over 340 commercial 5G networks are live globally, as reported by 5G Americas.
Oluwaseun Bamisile
Regional Progress and Disparities
Asia-Pacific leads the pack in terms of rollout speed and coverage, with China deploying over 2 million base stations and aggressively pushing 5G into industrial zones, ports, and transportation hubs. South Korea has similarly used 5G to enable smart city projects and next-gen public services.
In the United States, 5G coverage spans nearly all major cities, although speed and reliability vary depending on the frequency band used. However, Europe’s rollout has been slower. Regulatory delays, spectrum auction challenges, and fragmented telecom markets have hampered progress, with many EU nations still struggling to achieve 50% coverage.
Meanwhile, countries in Africa (such as Senegal, Somalia, and Tunisia), Latin America, and Southeast Asia are rolling out 5G in more targeted ways—focusing first on business hubs and city centers while rural areas wait for follow-on phases or infrastructure subsidies.
David Adubiina
Shutting Down Legacy Networks
A key step in this transition has been the retirement of older mobile technologies to free up spectrum and streamline operations. In the U.S., major carriers like AT&T and Verizon shut down their 3G networks in 2022.
Germany and Singapore have decommissioned 2G and 3G networks entirely, reallocating resources to modern services. The UK plans to sunset its 3G services by 2033. Even in emerging markets, the trend is underway: MTN South Africa, for example, has announced plans to shut down its 3G network by 2027, preparing the ground for wider 4G and 5G expansion.
Oluwaseun Bamisile
Challenges Slowing Down 5G Rollout
- Infrastructure Demands: 5G requires a dense network of small cells, fibre-optic cables, and upgraded core networks. Unlike 4G, which could rely on fewer macro towers, 5G—especially mmWave—needs thousands of closely spaced nodes to ensure consistent service.
- Spectrum Availability: Countries must allocate spectrum in different bands (low, mid, high), but spectrum auctions can be slow, expensive, and politically complicated. In some regions, operators are still waiting for access to key mid-band frequencies, which are essential for balanced speed and coverage.
- High Deployment Costs: The capital expenditure required for 5G rollout is significantly higher than previous generations. Building new infrastructure, upgrading legacy systems, and maintaining energy-hungry base stations increase the cost burden on operators, especially in price-sensitive markets.
- Regulatory and Bureaucratic Barriers: Lengthy permit processes, zoning laws, and cross-border policy inconsistencies—especially in the EU—have delayed network expansion. Additionally, geopolitical issues (e.g., bans on Huawei equipment) have disrupted existing infrastructure plans in several countries.
- Energy Consumption and Sustainability: 5G infrastructure, particularly Massive MIMO and dense small cell networks, consumes more energy than 4G. This raises concerns around sustainability and operating costs, especially as telecoms work to align with net-zero goals.
Oluwaseun Bamisile
The future of 5G Rollout
Still, 5G’s trajectory is clear. Telecom mergers, such as Vodafone and Three UK, are helping consolidate spectrum and infrastructure for faster, more efficient rollout. Technologies like Open RAN and network virtualization are driving down costs and increasing deployment flexibility.
Governments are stepping in with funding and broadband initiatives aimed at closing digital divides and accelerating rural access.
Looking forward, operators are laying the groundwork for what comes next. Even as 5G matures, early investments in AI-powered network management, satellite integration, and 6G research are beginning.
These moves ensure that today’s infrastructure won’t just serve current demands, but scale to support the data-driven ecosystems of tomorrow.
