5G network coverage outlook
5G coverage is growing but varies between regions
Key findings
Mid-band population coverage outside of mainland China has reached 35 percent.
The North America and India regions have made rapid deployments, reaching 85 and 90 percent mid-band coverage respectively.
Around 300 5G networks have been launched worldwide.
The build-out of 5G continues, with around 300 networks launched worldwide. Global 5G population coverage, outside of mainland China, reached around 40 percent at the end of 2023 and is projected to increase to about 80 percent in 2029. There are currently 830 4G networks deployed worldwide, with 346 upgraded to LTE-Advanced and 161 Gigabit enabled.[1] 4G population coverage, outside of mainland China, surpassed 85 percent globally at the end of 2023 and is projected to reach over 95 percent in 2029.
Large regional variations in 5G coverage
Mid-band combines high capacity with good coverage and is available in most markets, making it an ideal choice for delivering the full 5G experience. Combined with a low-band frequency division duplex (FDD) 5G carrier, it can provide full coverage and mobility.
By the end of 2023, 5G mid-band population coverage outside of mainland China reached 35 percent, but coverage varies between regions. Latin America as well as the Middle East and Africa have less than 10 percent total and mid-band coverage. The Asia-Pacific region outside China and India has reached 20 percent total and mid-band coverage. Meanwhile, in Europe there is a disparity between total 5G population coverage, which has reached 70 percent, and mid-band coverage, which reached 30 percent at the end of 2023.[2] This is due to the limited availability of mid-band spectrum in some countries, resulting in mainly low-band deployments.
In these regions, further densification is needed for the full 5G experience. The increase in mid-band population coverage outside of mainland China is mainly driven by large mid-band deployments in India and North America.
India has made large-scale mid-band deployments, reaching over 90 percent population coverage by the end of 2023. North American service providers have deployed 5G across low-, mid- and high-band frequencies, with low-band now covering around 90 percent. Mid-band has also been substantially deployed and reached around 85 percent population coverage at the end of 2023.
Despite these coverage advancements, only around 25 percent of all sites globally outside of mainland China have been upgraded to mid-band 5G.
Globally, 5G population coverage outside of mainland China is set to reach around 80 percent at the end of 2029.
