The global 5G ecosystem continued to expand rapidly in 2025, driven by rising operator investment, accelerating commercial launches, and a broadening device and vendor base, according to data from the Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA). The industry momentum highlights how 5G is moving from early rollout to large-scale deployment across regions, technologies, and use cases.
Operator Investment and Commercial Momentum
A total of 642 operators worldwide are now investing in 5G, reflecting sustained confidence in the technology as a foundation for future connectivity and digital services. Commercial momentum is also strengthening, with 374 commercial 5G launches recorded globally, GSA report indicated.
Regional activity shows differing levels of maturity and rollout pace:
Americas: 183 operators investing in 5G, with 78 commercial launches
Asia-Pacific: 147 operators investing, supported by 91 launches
EMEA: 312 operators investing in 5G, accounting for 212 launches
EMEA leads in both investment and commercial deployment, while Asia-Pacific continues to demonstrate strong launch activity relative to its operator base.
Expanding 5G Device Ecosystem
The 5G device landscape has grown significantly, reinforcing availability and choice across consumer and enterprise segments. GSA data shows:
4,058 5G devices announced globally
3,658 5G devices commercially available
In addition, over 330 vendors are either producing or planning 5G devices, underscoring the depth and competitiveness of the supplier ecosystem.
A notable shift toward advanced network capabilities is also underway. 3,049 devices have been announced with 5G standalone support, enabling lower latency, network slicing, and new enterprise-grade services.
Spectrum Investment and Policy Activity
Spectrum remains a critical enabler of 5G growth. Governments and regulators continue to accelerate allocation efforts:
More than $1 billion is expected to be spent on 5G-related auctions and assignments in 2025
Over 10 countries and territories are planning 5G spectrum assignments in 2026
These initiatives are expected to unlock additional capacity and improve service quality as traffic demand increases.
Standalone 5G and Core Network Progress
The transition toward standalone 5G is gaining traction, with 182 operators now investing specifically in 5G standalone networks. This shift marks a strategic move beyond non-standalone deployments, allowing operators to fully leverage cloud-native cores and advanced 5G features.
On the chipset side, innovation continues at pace. The market now includes 176 5G processors and modems, supporting a wide range of smartphones, fixed wireless access devices, industrial equipment, and IoT solutions.
Outlook for the Global 5G Market
The latest GSA data highlights a maturing yet still rapidly expanding global 5G market. Strong operator investment, rising standalone adoption, deep device availability, and ongoing spectrum releases are collectively strengthening the ecosystem. As 2025 progresses and spectrum assignments planned for 2026 come into view, 5G is positioned to deliver broader coverage, improved performance, and new revenue opportunities across consumer and enterprise segments worldwide.
BABURAJAN KIZHAKEDATH