5G has turn into a fixture of the worldwide cell market, with the International cell Suppliers Affiliation (GSA) reporting that greater than 390 operators have now launched industrial 5G networks. However the shift to 5G standalone continues to proceed extra slowly: As of October 2026, GSA information exhibits that fewer than 100 operators (98) had launched 5G SA providers. (See 5G SA momentum grows, though 2025 launches stay in single figures.)
Throughout a GSA webinar to debate 5G traits, Vaishali Purohit, a analysis analyst with FDM CCS Perception who additionally works inside the GSA analysis staff, mentioned the figures present that standalone deployment “stays a subset of the broader 5G market.”
Purohit mentioned many operators proceed to function non-standalone networks, and whereas 5G SA is advancing, “there stays a substantial alternative for additional deployment.”
It is actually not an easy transfer for operators, particularly for these in smaller markets and with extra restricted budgets. Purohit famous that the shift from a 4G to a 5G core, which is required for an SA community, brings prices and the necessity for troubleshooting as operators transfer clients from older to newer networks. “It’s a transition that takes time,” she mentioned.
Nonetheless, SA “is vital as a result of it permits for options like community slicing,” in addition to 5G decreased functionality (RedCap), “which we’re additionally seeing rising. However for now, SA stays a smaller a part of the market. Will probably be attention-grabbing to see how operators steadiness community funding and the capabilities and providers they wish to ship,” Purohit mentioned.
RedCap’s runway is dependent upon SA and extra apart from
5G RedCap is designed for units that don’t want the total capabilities of typical 5G. It goals to steadiness efficiency, gadget complexity and price, with potential functions together with related cameras and industrial units.
Based on GSA information, 17 operators had launched RedCap providers as of September 2026, with 4 launches throughout 2026. Purohit mentioned Bharti Airtel in India and Telkomsel in Indonesia are additionally now deploying 5G RedCap providers.
Whereas it wants 5G SA, RedCap adoption additionally is dependent upon a supporting ecosystem of suitable units, modules and chipsets, in addition to a compelling case for purchasers to maneuver from established applied sciences reminiscent of LTE and NB-IoT.
5G SA-based FWA faces a protection and price check
In the meantime, operators have already launched 5G fastened wi-fi entry (FWA) with out ready for common SA deployment. The GSA counted 276 operators with launched 5G FWA providers, and mentioned Europe leads at regional stage with 108 distinctive operators having launched a service. (See Europe leads on 5G FWA as fastened wi-fi stays key worth driver.)
LTE-based FWA gives proceed to dominate, with 453 launches globally. Nonetheless, Luke Pearce, principal analyst at FDM CCS Perception and likewise a part of the GSA analysis staff, mentioned the GSA has seen “fairly an enormous transition in our information from LTE to 5G FWA, particularly over the previous couple of months. The advantages there are fairly stark, notably for the use circumstances that FWA gives. You are getting a lot quicker speeds with 5G FWA than you might be with LTE FWA, which hyperlinks to the commercialisation of that.”
On the similar time, Pearce famous {that a} larger geographical footprint for 5G SA is required if FWA is to learn extra from particular SA options. “Lots of FWA functions are in areas that do not have fibre protection … they’re rural areas. That is even much less more likely to have a 5G standalone deployment for the time being,” he mentioned.
Whereas 5G FWA may also help fill broadband gaps the place fiber is unavailable, these places can also be much less more likely to have SA protection at the moment. Pearce added that 5G SA-based FWA requires suitable buyer premises tools (CPE), and that the price of this tools generally is a barrier.
Pearce additionally famous that worldwide 5G SA roaming continues to be nascent since a number of elements are holding again broader adoption, together with the truth that SA will not be but extensively deployed throughout nations and even throughout all areas inside a rustic.
He added that each the house and visited operator require suitable SA networks, whereas operators must arrange and check roaming preparations individually. In different phrases, making SA roaming commercially viable is tougher than on non-standalone 5G.
From 5G-Superior by way of to D2D, personal networks and spectrum
The GSA additionally supplied updates on 5G-Superior, noting that its information exhibits that the know-how is progressing by way of funding, testing and industrial deployment. As of October 2026, 41 operators had been investing within the know-how, whereas 19 operators had launched a service.
China Unicom in China and U Cell in Malaysia have each just lately launched a 5G-Superior service. An additional 5 operators are within the testing part, and one is planning to introduce a 5G-Superior community within the close to future. Asia-Pacific leads with 18 operators investing within the know-how. This equates to round 43%.
“As operators proceed to develop their networks, 5G-Superior represents the following part within the evolution of 5G capabilities. The steadiness between funding, testing, and launches will likely be an vital indicator to observe because the know-how matures,” Purohit mentioned.
Satellite tv for pc connectivity is one other space attracting rising curiosity throughout the cell business, notably by way of satellite-to-cell telephone (or direct-to-device/D2D) providers, Purohit noticed.
Based on GSA information, 113 operators are investing in D2D connectivity by way of 123 partnerships. Of those partnerships, 23 have launched a service, whereas 27 operators are testing their know-how or maintain licences to take action. An additional 73 operators have plans to launch a service. (See Satellite tv for pc D2D shifting into the mainstream for cell gamers – GSA.)
“This highlights a market with substantial exercise, alongside an growing variety of industrial providers. The chance extends past satellite-to-cell telephone connectivity. The GSA additionally identifies 115 operators investing in different types of satellite tv for pc connectivity, together with group and enterprise broadband, and IoT and machine-to-machine functions,” Purohit mentioned.
One other “vital a part of the broader 5G story” are cell personal networks, “as a result of they signify deployments tailor-made to particular organisational necessities, fairly than providers delivered solely by way of public cell networks,” Purohit mentioned.
As of September 2026, the GSA analysis catalogued 2,031 organizations deploying personal wi-fi networks, of which 1,001 (49%) had been utilizing 5G. Right here, the three.5GHz band is probably the most extensively assigned spectrum, with 482 buyer references. Taking a look at business adoption, manufacturing is the strongest sector, with 393 recognized firms.
Lastly, the GSA remarked that spectrum auctions stay an vital a part of the cell business’s improvement. It data 18 accomplished 5G auctions worldwide previously yr, of which 12 befell in 2026 alone.
“Throughout the third quarter of 2026, 5 5G auctions had been accomplished, with a mean worth of $240.63 million. Wanting forward, eight nations are planning 5G auctions within the close to future,” Purohit mentioned. Right here, she cited Italy as one instance, which is trying to public sale spectrum within the 26GHz band.
Pearce added that there’s nonetheless some curiosity in millimeter wave (mmWave) spectrum, even when attitudes about its usefulness for 5G have shifted owing to financial realities. “It’s nonetheless there, however it is vitally far more of a distinct segment utility,” reminiscent of serving high-capacity calls for in city areas, public venues and personal networks, he mentioned.
