Network coverage outlook
Half the world now covered by 5G
Key findings
Significant regional coverage gaps and site upgrade opportunities remain, as half of the world outside mainland China still lacks 5G coverage.
5G mid-band coverage reached 45 percent outside mainland China during 2025.
Outside of mainland China, only around 35 percent of sites globally have been upgraded to 5G mid-band.
There are currently 838 4G networks deployed worldwide, with 359 upgraded to LTE-Advanced and 452 LTE devices supporting Cat-16[1]. By the end of 2025, 4G population coverage outside mainland China had reached 90 percent globally and is projected to exceed 95 percent in 2031.
The build-out of 5G continues, with around 390 networks launched worldwide. Global 5G population coverage reached 60 percent at the end of 2025, extending 5G coverage to an additional 400 million people during the year. Outside mainland China, 5G coverage is projected to increase from 50 percent in 2025 to about 85 percent in 2031.
5G mid-band, either delivered through time division duplex (TDD) or frequency division duplex (FDD), combines high capacity with good coverage. It is available in most markets, making it an ideal choice for delivering the full 5G experience.
When combined with a low-band FDD 5G carrier, mid-band can provide full coverage and mobility. Good mid-band coverage is also essential for enabling differentiated connectivity and unlocking new revenue opportunities across consumer and enterprise use cases.
Large regional variations in 5G coverage
By the end of 2025, 5G mid-band population coverage outside mainland China reached about 45 percent, but coverage levels vary significantly across regions. Africa has the lowest total and mid-band 5G coverage, which both reached about 10 percent at the end of 2025. The Middle East shows somewhat higher levels, with total and mid-band coverage of about 20 percent.
Latin America, with 30 percent total and 25 percent mid-band 5G coverage, and Asia-Pacific (outside India and mainland China), with around 35 percent total and mid-band coverage, both remain below the global average for 5G population coverage. Extensive total and mid-band 5G coverage has been established across North America, mainland China and India, now covering 90–95 percent of the population in these regions.
Despite these coverage advancements, only around 35 percent of sites globally, outside of mainland China, have been upgraded to 5G mid-band.
