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

© GSA 2026

LinkedIn

X

YouTube

Weibo

WeChat: GSA Express

https://gsacom.com

The post State of the Market April 2026 appeared first on GSA.

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

© GSA 2026

LinkedIn

X

YouTube

Weibo

WeChat: GSA Express

https://gsacom.com

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.

The March 2026 edition of GSA’s Region Spotlight: Northern America highlights a mature and advanced telecom market. The region has started its transition away from legacy networks, with widespread 2G and 3G shutdowns enabling operators to focus on LTE and 5G network modernisation. LTE remains a core technology in use, but deployment has plateaued as operators focus on expanding their 5G services and coverage.

Northern America continues to demonstrate strong momentum in 5G, with 34 launched networks across the United States, Canada, Bermuda, Greenland and Saint Pierre and Miquelon. The region is accelerating toward 5G standalone, with 12 operators having launched at least one commercial 5G standalone network and operators in both the United States and Canada investing in 5G‑Advanced. These developments position the region to enable next‑generation capabilities including network slicing and ultralow-latency services.

Private mobile networks represent another area of regional leadership as Northern America accounts for 32% of the global total with strong uptake across manufacturing, education, research and defence. The United States is leading in this market with 506 private mobile deployments.

These developments coupled with growing activity in satellite‑to‑device partnerships and fixed wireless access reflect Northern America’s continued leadership in next-generation connectivity.

• The report provides a comprehensive overview of 4G and 5G deployments in Northern America, using the latest GSA data. It covers:
• The state of LTE and its ongoing role in mobile broadband.
• Progress of 5G, including 5G standalone and 5G-Advanced.
• Evolution of private networks and enterprise 5G adoption.
• Status of 2G and 3G switch-offs, which North America leads globally.
• Expansion of satellite networks and other emerging technologies.
• Adoption of fixed wireless access and deployment of services.

© GSA 2026

LinkedIn

X

YouTube

Weibo

WeChat: GSA Express

https://gsacom.com

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.

Regional Spotlight – Northern America March 2026

The post Regional Spotlight – Northern America March 2026 appeared first on GSA.

The February 2026 edition of GSA’s PMN report shows continued, solid growth in enterprise LTE and 5G customer deployments. By the end of 4Q25, GSA had identified 1,953 organisations worldwide deploying private mobile networks with a contract value above €100,000, spanning 84 countries. Customer references have grown at a compound annual growth rate of 51% since 2017, underlining sustained market momentum.
Manufacturing continues to be the leading sector by number of deployments, followed by education and academic research and mining, reflecting the importance of private networks in industrial automation, testing and mission-critical applications. 5G adoption is increasing, accounting for more than half of deployments announced since 2022.

Geographically, deployments are concentrated in high- and upper-middle-income markets, with the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom leading. A strong correlation persists between private network adoption and the availability of dedicated or shared spectrum, reinforcing the role of regulatory frameworks in shaping market development.
GSA members can find full details of allocation of dedicated private network spectrum and a list of organisations deploying or piloting private mobile networks in an annex, provided as an Excel attachment.

© GSA 2026

LinkedIn

X

YouTube

Weibo

WeChat: GSA Express

https://gsacom.com

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.
Private Mobile Networks February 2026

The post Private Mobile Networks February 2026 appeared first on GSA.

The January 2026 report highlights the accelerating integration of non-terrestrial networks (NTN) and satellite connectivity into the world of cellular communication. There is growing interest in satellite communication, with 225 publicly announced operator–satellite partnerships in 88 countries and territories as of January 2026.

Satellite-to-cellphone services are grabbing the headlines, with 16 partnerships having launched services. Though initial progress was led by Asia and North America, services are now launching in Europe and South America. A further 25 partnerships are trialling the technology with 53 in planning stage, indicating that there will be further launches in 2026 and beyond.

Community and enterprise broadband still accounts for 45% of all partnerships announced between satellite network operators and telecom operators, which is partly due to the technology being more widely available for longer. In contrast, satellite IoT is beginning to gain traction, with companies like Skylo and OQ increasingly playing important roles.

The US has the most satellite vendors, with 15 including companies such as Starlink and AST SpaceMobile. The UK and China both have five constellations. A growing number of countries have a satellite constellation either planned or launched, as recorded in the GSA database, including Australia, India and Spain.

There is a limited number of devices that have satellite compatibility with 3GPP narrowband NTN standards, whilst other devices are modified to work with certain constellations. Furthermore, some direct-to-cellphone constellations rely on IMT spectrum which, theoretically, would work with any 4G or 5G smartphone.

© GSA 2026

LinkedIn

X

YouTube

Weibo

WeChat: GSA Express

https://gsacom.com

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 NTN February 2026

The post 5G NTN February 2026 appeared first on GSA.

As of December 2025, GSA had catalogued 4,058 announced 5G devices, with 3,658 (90.1%) commercially available — reflecting a 27.7% increase over the past year. The ecosystem spans over 40 device form factors from 330 manufacturers.

Key highlights from the December 2025 update include:

1. Phones continue to dominate, with 2,165 models (at least 2,076 commercially available).
2. Industrial routers or modems (391) retain second place, followed by modules (380), fixed wireless access CPE (359) and hot spots (114).
3. At least 260 fixed wireless access devices for indoor and outdoor use are now commercially available.
4. GSA identified 1,092 devices supporting standalone 5G in sub-6 GHz bands; 898 are commercially available.
5. Regarding spectrum, 81.7% of devices support sub-6 GHz, but only 5.2% support millimetre wave. Dual support is found in just 3.3% of devices. Band n78 remains the most widely supported, followed by n41, n1 and n77.

GSA expects continued growth and increasing detail as more devices reach the market and become available in its GAMBoD database.

© GSA 2025

LinkedIn

X

YouTube

Weibo

WeChat: GSA Express

https://gsacom.com

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-Ecosystem December 2025

The post 5G-Ecosystem December 2025 appeared first on GSA.

The December 2025 Spectrum Pricing Update provides a comprehensive overview of global spectrum auctions and assignments. It highlights a sharp fluctuation in auction values over recent years: from a peak of $140.1 billion in 2021 to just $7.1 billion in 2025. The report focuses on key spectrum bands, including the C-band, millimetre wave and 700 MHz, noting varying prices driven by competition, licensing terms and economic contexts.

The C-band remains critical for 5G deployment, with prices ranging widely. For example, the United States achieved a high of $0.875/MHz/pop in 2021, while Paraguay’s August 2025 auction fetched just $0.001/MHz/pop. Millimetre-wave spectrum has seen limited activity, with lower valuations; India’s 2022 auction recorded $0.0007/MHz/pop despite significant revenue generation. The 700 MHz band is highly valued for its potential to expand 5G coverage, averaging $0.269/MHz/pop in auctions since 2015.

The report highlights a slowdown in spectrum auctions since 2022. GSA’s 5G Spectrum Auction Tracker monitors these developments; the database is available for Members and Associates.

© GSA 2025

LinkedIn

X

YouTube

Weibo

WeChat: GSA Express

https://gsacom.com

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.

Spectrum Pricing December 2025

The post Spectrum Pricing December 2025 appeared first on GSA.

Report summary

A snapshot from GSA’s GAMBoD database of national spectrum positions around the world. This report covers 600 MHz, 700 MHz, 1400-1500 MHz, 2.1 GHz, 2300-2400 MHz, 2496-2690 MHz, C-band, 4400-5000 MHz and 26-28 GHz spectrum in each country. Charts are grouped in ITU regions and show over a dozen stages of assignment for spectrum ranges. The detail in this report is based on information stored in the GSA GAMBoD Spectrum Assignments database. Precise spectrum allocation, including operator assignments and band range, are included in the database where known.

© GSA 2025

LinkedIn

X

YouTube

Weibo

WeChat: GSA Express

https://gsacom.com

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.

National Spectrum Positions – December 2025

The post National Spectrum Positions- December 2025 appeared first on GSA.

The December 2025 edition of GSA’s Private Mobile Networks report shows continued, solid growth in enterprise LTE and 5G customer deployments, despite quarterly fluctuations in public announcements. By the end of 3Q25, GSA had identified 1,907 organisations worldwide deploying private mobile networks with a contract value above €100,000, spanning 84 countries. Customer references have grown at a compound annual growth rate of 34% since 2020, underlining sustained market momentum.

Manufacturing continues to be the leading sector by number of deployments, followed by education and academic research, mining, and defence, reflecting the importance of private networks in industrial automation, testing and mission-critical applications. Although LTE still dominates overall, 5G adoption is steadily increasing, accounting for nearly half of deployments, even if many remain in trial or test-bed environments rather than full operational use.
Geographically, deployments are concentrated in high- and upper-middle-income markets, with the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom leading. A strong correlation persists between private network adoption and the availability of dedicated or shared spectrum, reinforcing the role of regulatory frameworks in shaping market development.

This report update brings additional country detail to the database, with 85% of references now including an associated country, rather than region. This means that 1,615 references now offer country detail, up from 981 in the previous quarter.

GSA members can find full details of allocation of dedicated private network spectrum and a list of organisations deploying or piloting private mobile networks in an annex, provided as an Excel attachment.

© GSA 2025

LinkedIn

X

YouTube

Weibo

WeChat: GSA Express

https://gsacom.com

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.

Private Mobile Networks December 2025

The post Private Mobile Networks December 2025 appeared first on GSA.

Annex to accompany the PMN Report December 2025

The post PMN Annex December 2025 – for Members & Associates appeared first on GSA.