The latest report prepared by Analysys Mason’s Stephen Burton has revealed the progress of 5G network deployments in 2024.
In 2024, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) led in 5G network launches with 10 new networks across 7 countries.
Latin America (LATAM) saw an increase from 6 new launches in 2023 to 8 in 2024, matching its previous peak in 2022.
Emerging Asia–Pacific (EMAP) recorded 8 new launches across 6 countries.
Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) had 5 new 5G networks, while Developed Asia–Pacific (DVAP) and Western Europe (WE) each launched 2 new networks.
There were no new 5G launches in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) or North America (NA) in 2024.
Between January 2018 and December 2024, there were 381 total 5G deployment entries. Of these, 331 were confirmed commercial launches of 5G Non-Standalone (NSA) networks, 63 were confirmed commercial launches of 5G Standalone (SA) networks, and 50 networks were either planned or under deployment.
SSA, LATAM, and EMAP regions remained focused on deploying 5G NSA networks, with operators in these regions accounting for 74 percent of all 5G NSA launches in 2024. SSA led globally in new 5G networks launched since 2022, accounting for 29 percent of all launches worldwide in the past three years. SSA now has a total of 43 active 5G networks across 23 different countries.
5G NSA networks
Several countries in SSA launched 5G NSA networks for the first time in 2024. MTN Congo launched the first 5G network in Congo in October, adding to its existing 5G presence in Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, and Zambia. In Ghana, Next-Gen InfraCo introduced a national 5G wholesale network in November, initially covering Accra, Kumasi, and Takoradi, though operators have yet to lease capacity as of January 2025. Lesotho saw its first 5G network in March with Econet Telecom launching services in Maseru’s central business district. Somalia also witnessed multiple 5G launches: Somtel International and Telesom in January, followed by Hormuud Telecom in March.
EMAP led in the number of 5G NSA launches in the second half of 2024, with six new launches across four different countries. The total number of operational 5G networks in the region has more than doubled since 2021, reaching 55 active networks. In Georgia, MagtiCom became the third operator to launch 5G, following Cellfie Mobile and SilkNet, providing coverage in Batumi, Kutaisi, and Tbilisi. In Samoa, Digicel launched the country’s first 5G network in July, offering coverage in Apia Central Business District, followed by Vodafone Samoa in September. In Tonga, Digicel was the first to introduce 5G in November, covering areas such as Kolomotu’a, Fanga, Pili, Kologo’ou, and Ma’ufanga, with Tonga Communications launching a second 5G network in December. In Vietnam, Viettel launched 5G in October and reported 100 percent coverage across all 63 provincial capitals.
5G standalone (SA) networks
The number of new 5G standalone (SA) networks launched worldwide declined in 2024, with only 10 new launches compared to 14 in 2023 and 18 in 2022. Western Europe led in 5G SA rollouts, with seven new networks in Finland, France, Germany, Greece, and the UK.
Operators such as EE (BT), MasOrange, and Virgin Media O2 continued expanding 5G SA coverage, while others hesitated due to concerns over business viability and potential return on investment. Western Europe now accounts for 31 percent of the 63 operational 5G SA networks worldwide.
In France, Free Mobile became the first operator to commercially launch 5G SA for mobile customers in September 2024, allowing subscribers on the 5G Free Mobile Plan to access 5G SA at no extra cost. Orange also launched 5G SA for fixed wireless access (FWA) customers in the same month.
In Germany, Deutsche Telekom became the third operator to introduce 5G SA services, following Vodafone’s launch in 2021 and Telefonica’s launch in October 2023. Deutsche Telekom offers 5G SA as part of its ‘5G+ Gaming’ package, using network slicing to optimize service quality.
In the Philippines, DITO Telecommunity launched a 5G SA FWA service in October 2024, becoming the country’s second 5G SA operator after Smart, which launched in Makati City in October 2021.
In the UK, BT (EE) introduced the country’s third 5G SA network in September 2024, providing coverage in 15 major cities, including Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and London. Vodafone was the first operator to launch 5G SA in the UK in June 2023, followed by Virgin Media O2 in February 2024.
Baburajan Kizhakedath
