EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The global 5G market is entering a more selective and strategic phase of development.

The first years of 5G were defined by launch momentum. Operators raced to switch on services, extend coverage and establish a visible 5G presence in their markets. That expansion continues, with 392 operators now having launched 5G networks and 643 operators investing in the technology overall. But the pace and character of growth are changing. The relatively modest annual increase in total 5G investment suggests that the market is moving beyond its initial land-grab phase and into a period shaped less by headline launches and more by network quality, architectural maturity and service differentiation.

As the global data in this latest report shows, that shift is most clearly visible in 5G Standalone. While non-standalone still accounts for the majority of launched services, standalone is steadily gaining share and now underpins much of the industry’s next wave of innovation. As operators build out standalone cores, they are putting in place the foundations for 5G RedCap, network slicing, more advanced enterprise offers and the broader transition towards programmable, cloud-native mobile networks. In parallel, the emergence of 5G-Advanced, which itself requires a 5G SA core, shows that the leading edge of the market is already beginning to move beyond basic 5G deployment and towards enhanced performance, efficiency and automation.

The ecosystem around 5G is also deepening. Device numbers continue to rise, but the more telling trend is diversification: alongside smartphones, the market now includes a growing base of industrial routers, modules, FWA CPEs and other specialised devices that support enterprise and sector-specific use cases. Private mobile networks are expanding steadily, with 5G taking a rising share, while satellite-to-cellphone partnerships are moving from concept to commercial launch. Fixed wireless access remains one of the most widely deployed and commercially proven 5G use cases, particularly in markets seeking to extend broadband reach quickly.

Taken together, these trends point to a market that is no longer defined simply by how many 5G networks exist, but by what those networks are becoming. 5G in 2026 will be shaped by standalone adoption, ecosystem readiness and the ability of operators to translate technical capability into commercial value.

In this report you will find the latest headline data behind all these trends and developments. All of the detail behind the data is available exclusively to GSA Members and Associates in GAMBoD, GSA’s suite of databases, covering devices, public networks, private networks, chipsets, spectrum assignments, spectrum pricing and a global database of mobile operator technology and spectrum profiles. All employees of GSA Member or GSA Associate organisation will be able to benefit from unlimited access to the full suite of seven databases.

Key Highlights

• 392 operators have launched 5G networks, up 14% from March 2025, reflecting 44% of total LTE and 5G networks.

• In the last year, 11 5G auctions have been completed across the world, for an average price of $663.4 million.

• As of now, there are 4,256 announced 5G devices, up 24% from last year. In comparison, total LTE devices totalled 29,024.

• 95 operators have launched a 5G Standalone service, highlighting a growth of 42% since 1Q25.

• In total, 35 operators are investing in 5G-Advanced, an increase of 71% since last year. Of these, 11 operators have launched a service.

• The manufacturing vertical is a strong adopter of mobile private networks, with 374 identified customer deployments, followed by the education and academic research sector with 169 customers deploying it.

• 97 operators are investing in satellite-to cellphone connectivity and 8 available chipsets are compatible with the technology.

• There are 394 operators who have launched a 5G fixed wireless service, with another 29 investing in the technology, an increase of 59% since June 2025.

The global 5G market is entering a more selective and strategic phase of development.

The data in this report is correct as of the end of March 2026.

State of the Market April 2026

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5G Reduced Capability (RedCap) aims to bridge the gap between the cost and power requirements of various 5G uses, particularly addressing requirements for connected devices such as wearables, security and surveillance equipment and industrial sensors.

By lowering 5G device costs, while continuing to support advanced 5G features such as network slicing and 5G-only spectrum bands, RedCap will help operators to better monetise their 5G networks.

This report offers a snapshot of 5G RedCap’s market momentum. The full report provides insights about the global status of 5G standalone and 5G RedCap, investments by operators and a comprehensive outline of the 5G RedCap ecosystem, illustrating support for the technology in chipsets, modules and end-user devices. It also covers enhanced RedCap (eRedCap), its benefits, potential in 5G and GSA’s vision for how it will shape this ecosystem.

5G RedCap Status.

When assessing the global status of 5G RedCap in March 2026, GSA identified 42 operators in 27 countries that are currently investing in the technology.  A closer look at the status of these investments underscores that many operators are currently in the trial phase. Operators in Bahrain, Czechia, Finland, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey and the United Kingdom are testing the viability of a 5G Redcap network alongside existing

5G networks.

Six operators are planning a 5G RedCap service and Rogers Wireless (including Fido) in Canada is in the process of deploying these services on its network. Since the previous update in September 2025, Telefonica and Deutsche Telekom in Germany, SoftBank in Japan, M1 in Singapore, MasOrange in Spain and Etisalat (e&) in the United Arab Emirates are the latest to launch a 5G RedCap service. These accompany eight other operators which had previously launched a service: Optus in Australia, stc in Kuwait, Dito in the Philippines, T-Mobile and AT&T in the United States and the three major Chinese operators — China Unicom, China Telecom and China Mobile.

5G RedCap – April 2026

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GSA Research

Mobile industry research is the backbone of GSA activity and covers topics from devices, chipsets and technology, to networks, features and spectrum.

The GSA research team is constantly following market dynamics and activity to ensure the latest data is available to GSA users via the GSA website.

Data is updated monthly and quarterly and can be referenced by users who register for free on the GSA website and download multiple reports, charts and videos of webinars. GSA welcomes any contributions on industry data from mobile operators, vendors and suppliers what want to ensure accurate industry data is shared globally.

GSA GAMBoD Database

GSA reports are based on extensive data contained in the GSA GAMBoD databases, which is a resource available to GSA members and associates. Companies and policy makers can subscribe, as a GSA associate, to gain access to GSA databases and member reports for additional insights into the source data behind reports, which can be used for their own research purposes.

Discounted annual subscription are available to regulators, government agencies and licensed mobile operators.

Please email info@gsacom.com for more information.

The post 5G RedCap – April 2026 – Industry Update appeared first on GSA.

5G Reduced Capability (RedCap) devices are designed to cater to IoT and FWA use cases with requirements of low device complexity and power consumption but moderate requirements on peak data rates. Built upon the 5G NR (New Radio) standard, 5G RedCap aims to offer a balanced approach to connectivity, enabling implementation and operation of cost- and energy-efficient devices for a wide range of IoT applications. As industries and applications continue to embrace this technology, RedCap is set to revolutionise how devices communicate and interact, paving the way for a more connected and efficient future.

Join the GSA Research Team and the GSA 5G RedCap Special Interest Group as they explore topics including:

* Timelone of RedCap services
* Capabilities of RedCap versus eRedCap
* Global status of 5G standalone network deployments
* A global view and regional-level look at the deployment of RedCap 5G
* New GSA initiatives to drive and support the RedCap ecosystem
* The RedCap vendor ecosystem perspective – presented by NEXA

Key data highlights include:
5G Standalone continues to grow
Rising investment in 5G standalone networks is increasing the locations where RedCap can be deployed
As of March 2026, 184 operators in 76 countries have invested in 5G standalone
95 operators in 53 countries have launched a 5G standalone service
So far in 2026, four operators in four countries have launched 5G standalone

Global view on 5G RedCap
As of March 2026, 42 operators in 27 countries have been identified as investing in RedCap

• 14 operators have launched a 5G RedCap service
• O2 Telefonica in Germany announced it is launching 5G RedCap in early 2026
• Half of operators investing in RedCap are still trialling the technology

A free on-demand replay of the full webinar is available to watch here: https://gsacom.com/webinar/5g-redcap-2/

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GSA Research

Mobile industry research is the backbone of GSA activity and covers topics from devices, chipsets and technology, to networks, features and spectrum.

The GSA research team is constantly following market dynamics and activity to ensure the latest data is available to GSA users via the GSA website.

Data is updated monthly and quarterly and can be referenced by users who register for free on the GSA website and download multiple reports, charts and videos of webinars. GSA welcomes any contributions on industry data from mobile operators, vendors and suppliers what want to ensure accurate industry data is shared globally.

GSA GAMBoD Database

GSA reports are based on extensive data contained in the GSA GAMBoD databases, which is a resource available to GSA members and associates. Companies and policy makers can subscribe, as a GSA associate, to gain access to GSA databases and member reports for additional insights into the source data behind reports, which can be used for their own research purposes.

Discounted annual subscription are available to regulators, government agencies and licensed mobile operators.

Please email info@gsacom.com for more information.

The post 5G RedCap webinar – March 2026 appeared first on GSA.

With these developments, operators can unlock greater potential through network slicing, 5G reduced capability (RedCap) and voice over New Radio (VoNR). Meanwhile, devices and chipsets continue to play a crucial role in the development of 5G, with the ecosystem of compatible devices expanding from the most-premium smartphones to drones, outdoor customer premises equipment (CPE), modules and asset trackers.

Join the GSA Research team to access the latest market data on the status of:

• 5G networks deploying 5G non-standalone and 5G SS
• 5G-Advanced network launches
• 5G RedCap, VoNR and network slicing
• Commercially available 5G devices, including form factors, chipsets and spectrum support
• 5G Private Mobile Networks
• 5G non-terrestrial networks (NTN)

All of the detail behind this data shared in this webinar is available exclusively to GSA Members and Associates in GAMBoD, GSA’s suite of databases, covering devices, public networks, private networks, chipsets, spectrum assignments, spectrum pricing and a global database of mobile operator technology and spectrum profiles.

The post 5G networks, spectrum & devices appeared first on GSA.

This Hot Topic report provides an update on the development of 5G RedCap, a streamlined form of 5G targeting cost-sensitive and mid-tier applications like wearables, industrial sensors and surveillance devices.

This report provides insights about the global status of 5G standalone and 5G RedCap, investments by operators and a comprehensive outline of the 5G RedCap ecosystem, illustrating support for the technology in chipsets, modules and end-user devices. It also covers enhanced RedCap (eRedCap), its benefits, potential in 5G and GSA’s vision for how it will shape this ecosystem.

• Highlights from the September 2025 edition include:
• Globally, 34 operators in 24 countries and territories are investing in RedCap, with early commercial launches by T-Mobile in the US, China’s major operators, stc in Kuwait and Dito in the Philippines.
• There is good momentum from equipment vendors, with companies including Huawei, Nokia, Samsung, TCL and ZTE expanding RedCap support. Six chipsets, 17 modules and seven end-user devices are now available, with further growth expected throughout the rest of 2025.
• The emergence of eRedCap promises even lower complexity and cost, with commercial adoption expected from 2026.
• The outlook for RedCap is positive; GSA expects the technology to dominate mid-tier IoT applications for the next few years, bridging the gap between LTE and full 5G, ahead of broader eRedCap adoption.

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GSA Research

Mobile industry research is the backbone of GSA activity and covers topics from devices, chipsets and technology, to networks, features and spectrum.

The GSA research team is constantly following market dynamics and activity to ensure the latest data is available to GSA users via the GSA website.

Data is updated monthly and quarterly and can be referenced by users who register for free on the GSA website and download multiple reports, charts and videos of webinars. GSA welcomes any contributions on industry data from mobile operators, vendors and suppliers what want to ensure accurate industry data is shared globally.

GSA GAMBoD Database

GSA reports are based on extensive data contained in the GSA GAMBoD databases, which is a resource available to GSA members and associates. Companies and policy makers can subscribe, as a GSA associate, to gain access to GSA databases and member reports for additional insights into the source data behind reports, which can be used for their own research purposes.

Discounted annual subscription are available to regulators, government agencies and licensed mobile operators.

Please email info@gsacom.com for more information.

5G-RedCap September 2025

The post 5G-RedCap September 2025 – Hot Topic appeared first on GSA.

RedCap – expanding the 5G device ecosystem for consumers and industries.

For more on this topic also check out the Ericsson blog post HERE covering a discussion on standardisation aspects for Rel-17 RedCap and Rel-18 eRedCap.

Since the number of personal smartphone subscriptions is limited by the size of the human population, the number of Internet of Things (IoT) devices is predicted to have a stronger growth than smartphone subscriptions in the coming years. The IoT segment served by cellular networks can be divided into Massive IoT, Broadband IoT, Critical IoT, and Industrial Automation IoT, where Broadband IoT is forecasted to constitute 60 percent of the cellular IoT connections by the end of 2028. Broadband IoT includes both wide- area and local-area use cases that require higher throughput, lower latency, and larger data volumes than what Massive IoT technologies can support. These use cases include, for example, smart wearables and industrial sensors. In the past, Broadband IoT use cases were often served by 4G long-term evolution (LTE) device categories 1 and 4. The device complexity, and hence the device cost, has so far been too high for 5G New Radio (NR) to be suited to Broadband IoT, which motivated the introduction of reduced capability (RedCap) 5G NR devices in 3GPP Release 17.

Figure 1 illustrates different 4G/5G device types. At the low end, there is the NB-IoT device category (Cat-NB1) and the LTE-M device category (Cat-M1), which both support relatively low data rates suitable for Massive IoT use cases. Since 3GPP Release 15, both NB-IoT and LTE-M fulfill the 5G massive machine-type communications (mMTC) requirements and are therefore components of both 4G and 5G. At the high end, both LTE and NR have device types for high peak rates for demanding use cases. In between the low and the high end, LTE offers several device categories (that is, Cat-1/2/3/4), and RedCap provides corresponding NR-based device types for this mid-range segment.

Figure 1

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5G-RedCap – Ericsson Whitepaper

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This month’s Hot Topic report provides a fresh update on the development of 5G RedCap, a streamlined form of 5G targeting cost-sensitive and mid-tier applications like wearables, industrial sensors and surveillance devices. This report provides insights about the global status of 5G standalone and 5G RedCap, investments by operators and availability of devices and chipsets compatible with 5G RedCap. It also explores enhanced RedCap (eRedCap) and its benefits, potential in 5G and GSA’s vision for how it will shape this ecosystem.

Highlights from the April 2025 edition include:

Globally, 30 operators in 21 countries and territories are investing in RedCap, with early commercial launches by T-Mobile in the US, China’s major operators, stc in Kuwait and Dito in the Philippines.

There is vendor and device momentum, with companies including Huawei, Nokia, Samsung, TCL and and ZTE expanding RedCap support. Six chipsets and over 20 devices are now available, with further growth forecast for 2025.

The emergence of eRedCap promises even lower complexity and cost, with commercial adoption expected from 2026.

The outlook for RedCap is positive; GSA expects the technology to dominate mid-tier IoT applications for the next few years, bridging the gap between LTE and full 5G, ahead of broader eRedCap adoption.

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GSA Research

Mobile industry research is the backbone of GSA activity and covers topics from devices, chipsets and technology, to networks, features and spectrum.

The GSA research team is constantly following market dynamics and activity to ensure the latest data is available to GSA users via the GSA website.

Data is updated monthly and quarterly and can be referenced by users who register for free on the GSA website and download multiple reports, charts and videos of webinars. GSA welcomes any contributions on industry data from mobile operators, vendors and suppliers what want to ensure accurate industry data is shared globally.

GSA GAMBoD Database

GSA reports are based on extensive data contained in the GSA GAMBoD databases, which is a resource available to GSA members and associates. Companies and policy makers can subscribe, as a GSA associate, to gain access to GSA databases and member reports for additional insights into the source data behind reports, which can be used for their own research purposes.

Discounted annual subscription are available to regulators, government agencies and licensed mobile operators.

Please email info@gsacom.com for more information.

5G RedCap April-2025

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The Global mobile Suppliers Association today announced the establishment of a new RedCap Special Interest Group to bring together leading telecommunications companies wishing to track, boost and promote the ecosystem for 5G RedCap network deployments, connected IoT devices, FWA devices and service launches.

5G Reduced Capability (RedCap) devices are designed to cater to Internet of Things (IoT) use cases with requirements on low device complexity and power consumption but moderate requirements on peak data rates. This technology is built upon the 5G NR (New Radio) standard and aims to offer a balanced approach to connectivity, enabling implementation and operation of cost- and energy-efficient devices for a wide range of IoT applications.

To deploy RedCap, operators must first have a 5G standalone network, making the ongoing expansion of 5G SA networks worldwide a guide to RedCap readiness. As of February 2025, GSA identified 154 operators in 63 countries investing in 5G standalone. When assessing the global status of 5G RedCap in this latest report, GSA identified 26 operators in 18 countries that are currently investing in RedCap technology, indicating the early stage of its development.

Joe Barrett, President of the Global mobile Suppliers Association, said: “5G RedCap is still in its initial stages of development and growth, particularly when it comes to compatible devices and chipsets. Nevertheless, indications of future growth for 5G RedCap are already emerging. This is why it is time for the industry ecosystem to now work together to promote, track and report on the true status of the technology and collectively expand the RedCap ecosystem globally.

“5G RedCap’s role as the bridge for mid-tier IoT applications, coupled with the clear demand for IoT connectivity providers based on LTE technologies, indicates a promising market, with significant growth expected in the medium to long term, especially as 5G New Radio continues its global expansion and the capabilities of LTE technologies diminish. RedCap can also help serving some FWA scenarios thanks to its lower cost device capabilities.”

The new GSA RedCap SIG brings together vendors from across the ecosystem to track and promote the status of RedCap products, features and mobile networks. SIG Partners and Members can promote their RedCap-enabled products via the GSA website and GAMBoD databases, while the GSA Research Team will support the work of the SIG with regular industry reports and webinars on the global status of the technology.

Founding members of the 5G RedCap SIG include Ericsson, Huawei, Intel, MediaTek, Qualcomm and VIAVI Solutions. Membership of GSA groups, which also cover areas of special interest including 4G/5G fixed wireless access and private mobile networks, is open to all GSA Executive & Ordinary Members and GSA Associates. Organisations subscribing to GSA as a Member or Associate benefit from unlimited access for every employee to GSA’s unique GAMBoD databases.

This month GSA also published its latest report on 5G RedCap, which is available for download here. This new report delves into what 5G RedCap entails and its advantages for operators, and introduces enhanced RedCap (eRedCap) and the potential in this nascent area to shape the ecosystem.

On 29th April 2025, the GSA 5G RedCap SIG, together with the GSA Research Team, will dig into the latest market trends and data on industry adoption of 5G RedCap for IoT and share how the work of the 5G RedCap SIG will support the ecosystem in driving further growth. You can register for the webinar here: https://gsacom.com/group/redcap-sig/

For more information on 5G RedCap IoT, and the work of the GSA RedCap Special Interest Group, please visit https://gsacom.com/group/redcap-marketing-special-interest-group/.

To enquire about how your organisation can become a GSA Associate and participate in the SIG, please email membership@gsacom.com.

The post GSA forms new 5G RedCap Special Interest Group to drive industry ecosystem appeared first on GSA.

To deploy RedCap, operators must first have a 5G standalone network, making the ongoing expansion of 5G SA networks worldwide a guide to RedCap readiness. As of February 2025, GSA identified 154 operators in 63 countries investing in 5G standalone. When assessing the global status of 5G RedCap in this latest report, GSA identified 26 operators in 18 countries that are currently investing in RedCap technology, indicating the early stage of its development.

Join the GSA Research Team as they dig into this data, revealing the RedCap early adopters and how the vendor ecosystem is responding to the new IoT opportunities.

During this live webinar and Q&A you will learn:

• What is 5G RedCap?
• 5G RedCap Use Cases
• LTE-M and NB-IoT Status and Comparisons
• 5G Standalone and 5G RedCap Networks Status
• 5G RedCap Device Ecosystem
• New GSA initiatives to drive and support the RedCap ecosystem

Download the full report here: https://gsacom.com/paper/5g-redcap-april-2025/

The post GSA Snapshot: 5G RedCap appeared first on GSA.

This GSA Hot Topic report, introduced in 2024, explores 5G RedCap. This technology aims to bridge the gap between the cost and power requirements of various 5G uses, particularly addressing shortcomings in connected devices such as wearables, security and surveillance equipment and industrial sensors.

The report delves into what 5G RedCap entails and its advantages for operators. Additionally, it provides insights about the global status of LTE-M, 5G standalone access and 5G RedCap, examining investments by operators and equipment vendors.

This March 2025 update introduces enhanced RedCap (eRedCap), its benefits, potential in this nascent area of 5G and how GSA envisions it shaping this ecosystem.

Key findings in this update include:

There are 26 operators in 18 countries that are currently investing in 5G RedCap technology.

Among the operators investing in the technology, six have launched commercial services. These operators are stc in Kuwait, Dito in the Philippines, T-Mobile in the United States and the three major Chinese operators: China Unicom, China Telecom and China Mobile.

The majority of current investments are in the form of tests and trials, with 17 operators in as many countries evaluating, testing or trialling 5G RedCap technology.

GSA identified four chipsets and 17 devices with 5G RedCap capabilities.

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5G RedCap March-2025 – Hot Topic

GSA Research

Mobile industry research is the backbone of GSA activity and covers topics from devices, chipsets and technology, to networks, features and spectrum.

The GSA research team is constantly following market dynamics and activity to ensure the latest data is available to GSA users via the GSA website.

Data is updated monthly and quarterly and can be referenced by users who register for free on the GSA website and download multiple reports, charts and videos of webinars. GSA welcomes any contributions on industry data from mobile operators, vendors and suppliers what want to ensure accurate industry data is shared globally.

GSA GAMBoD Database

GSA reports are based on extensive data contained in the GSA GAMBoD databases, which is a resource available to GSA members and associates. Companies and policy makers can subscribe, as a GSA associate, to gain access to GSA databases and member reports for additional insights into the source data behind reports, which can be used for their own research purposes.

Discounted annual subscription are available to regulators, government agencies and licensed mobile operators.

Please email info@gsacom.com for more information.

The post 5G RedCap March-2025 appeared first on GSA.