The global deployment of 5G standalone (SA) networks is accelerating after a slower-than-expected start, driven by the technology’s complexity and the significant capital needed to support it in a challenging market. Operators are moving cautiously, focusing on strategies to monetize the technology and generate revenue from both the consumer and enterprise sectors.

For governments, leading the charge in the 5G rollout is seen as a key factor in strengthening national competitiveness. The low latency and high reliability of 5G SA are critical for enabling new industrial applications and attracting investment. Mobile networks have become central to national infrastructure strategies.

The European Commission has made high-performing mobile network infrastructure a central part of its Digital Decade initiative. This commitment has been reinforced with the launch of the “Competitiveness Compass,” which lays out a roadmap to enhance Europe’s industrial competitiveness. The new strategy prioritizes investments in 5G SA as a major driver for future growth.

However, despite setting ambitious targets, Europe is currently lagging behind other major regions in 5G SA deployment and performance. According to recent data from Ookla and Omdia, Europe’s rollout is significantly slower compared to countries like China, India, and the United States. In Q4 2024, China, India, and the US led the world in 5G SA availability, with Europe far behind – reaching only two percent.

The research also revealed that Europe’s performance in terms of 5G SA speeds is also underwhelming. The average 5G SA download speed in Europe was 221.17 Mbps in Q4 2024, far lower than speeds in the Americas and Asia. The main reason for the disparity is earlier deployments and a more aggressive spectrum strategy in regions outside Europe.

Despite the lag, some European countries are making notable progress. Germany, the UK, and Spain, in particular, have invested in 5G SA-specific policies that have boosted their deployments. In Southern and Central Europe, countries like Greece and Austria have also excelled in 5G SA deployment, particularly in rural areas, where Spain and Austria have focused on using the 700 MHz band to extend coverage.

While 5G SA networks offer significant improvements in performance, including lower latency and faster download speeds, Europe has yet to fully unlock the potential of these networks. Advanced features such as higher-order MIMO and carrier aggregation, which are available in markets like the US, are still limited in Europe.

To capture the full monetization potential of 5G SA, European operators need to evolve their business models. Operators in other regions are already offering performance-oriented services and developing tailored network slices for various enterprise sectors, which has helped drive revenue growth. In Europe, operators like BT, Deutsche Telekom, Elisa, and 3 are leading the way in business model innovation, leveraging 5G SA to attract premium customers and increase average revenue per user (ARPU).