According to Dell’Oro Group, 61 network operators in 34 countries have been using 5G SA networks since 2020. The research director at Dell’Oro, Dave Bolan, says that besides the U.S., countries using 5G SA include China, India, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Japan, Spain, and the U.K. This information doesn’t include fixed wireless access networks or 5G private networks.
Dell’Oro’s Bolan says that there is no set definition for network operators to meet to declare that their 5G SA service is nationwide. He says, “But generally speaking, we add MNOs that have deployed 5G SA networks across a broad geographic portion of their network, addressing major population centers.” In other words, having your 5G SA network working in only three states doesn’t count as offering it nationwide.
“Most MNOs start with their major urban centers and then extend coverage to surrounding communities and eventually to rural communities. Coverage is usually focused on outdoor and, later on, indoor coverage while also addressing venues like transportation hubs and sports/entertainment venues. No 5G SA network has matched the coverage of their 4G networks, but obviously, the ones that started first are farther along.”-Dave Bolan, research director, Dell’Oro Group
