5G population coverage in the UK is currently around
40 %, whereas frontrunners US and Korea are at 60 % and 98 % respectively .
“ Despite the strong start on 5G , the UK still has a long way to go – our industry needs to move quicker ”
Q . WHAT IS THE GOAL OF THE UK 5G ROLL-OUT ?
» The goal is simple : we want to ensure 5G is ubiquitous across the country and that we ’ re able to deliver these immense benefits .
But despite the strong start , we still have a long way to go on this goal . Our industry needs to move quicker . 5G population coverage is currently around 40 %, whereas frontrunners US and Korea are at 60 % and 98 % respectively .
The strategy in the UK has been to focus on deploying 5G on lowband spectrum and on top of existing 4G infrastructure . This limits the true potential of 5G , and it ’ s something we need to progress on in the year ahead .
The good news is that 2022 will be the year we are likely to see UK 5G rollout really take off . We are getting closer to the transition to 5G standalone and that ’ s what will unlock a lot of this potential . We have all the pieces in place to really move ahead now , and I ’ m hopeful that if we can all come together as an industry to speed up our plans , we will be in a great position to take advantage of the unique economic and social benefits 5G can bring .
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