Over the past six months, The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)  has collected data and information on the 5G environment in the top 60 telecoms markets worldwide, in order to score them on six key metrics: the business environment, spectrum availability, the current level of 5G deployment, 5G network speed, progress on industry trials of 5G and the robustness of 5G policy. Our latest report “The 5G Readiness Guide” contains a snapshot of our scores for each region, with the full 5G scoring table and analysis available as part of our EIU Viewpoint service. 

Our assessment is intended to help companies planning to invest in the 5G ecosystem to understand where each country stands in the 5G race, as well as its future potential. It also allows policymakers to benchmark their 5G regulations and policies against those of other countries, and make improvements that could attract more investment into the sector. 

Key findings include:

• An early start in 5G preparation, along with better management of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic in 2020, has helped many Asian countries to free up spectrum in the higher bands in order to forge ahead on 5G rollouts. 

• Gulf countries are also among the most 5G-ready globally and offer significant market opportunities for providers of next-generation technologies.

• Despite lagging in spectrum auctions, Western European countries are at the forefront of testing and rolling out 5G-based industrial applications. 

• Inadequate spectrum policy and a lack of regulatory coordination have held back 5G development in the US, but progress is being made under the Biden administration. 

• Most countries in Africa and Latin America are likely to remain focused on expanding 4G and fibre broadband in the medium term, given a lack of funding and the low capacity to monetise 5G. 

• A 5G-specific policy that covers auctions, deployment targets and trials, coupled with government support in the form of tax incentives or low-cost loans, is the best way to support faster rollouts. 

• The US-China dispute over Huawei and other Chinese telecoms equipment manufacturers poses the biggest risk to 5G rollout across all regions, second only to disruption caused by Covid-19.

“About 68% of the countries studied by The EIU will have turned on 5G by the end of 2021. As operators and businesses decide which markets will offer the best returns on 5G, they will need to consider several factors. Strong and affordable infrastructure (spectrum and base stations) will form the foundation, but operators will need to find the right 5G products and services to sell. The business environment and policy directives will also play a crucial role in determining how 5G capabilities are used in the most efficient way. For instance, despite late spectrum auctions, Europe has recorded a high industrial uptake of 5G, as enterprise applications were at the core national 5G plans in the region. The US-China dispute poses the biggest risk to 5G rollout across all regions, second only to delays caused by the pandemic.”

LAVEENA IYER, RESEARCH ANALYST AT THE EIU

Download our report “The 5G Readiness Guide” to find out more.