Which Country Will Be the First to Accelerate Its Growth Through 5G?
It’s an obvious matter rather than a prediction or analysis! As we come across the last days of the first month of this year, many things become clear. This is the year when 5G technology will finally be adopted by many countries worldwide. It’s easy to get excited about this new technology and its potential applications, but we must also consider which nations are ready to adopt it. We will introduce the countries that are already set to take advantage of 5G before the year is out. From Asia to Europe to the Middle East and beyond – find out which nations are already setting up the necessary infrastructure and policies in preparation for their 5G growth and launch.
Who’s Likely to Do It Faster?
The rollout of 5G technology is expected to revolutionize how we communicate and access the internet. With faster speeds and lower latency, 5G has the potential to drive innovation and economic growth in various industries. However, the adoption of 5G technology varies across countries and regions. Let us take a closer look at the prediction of which countries in the Middle East are likely to adopt 5G in 2023 and what factors may be holding them back.
Countries in the MENA region, like United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, are expected to be among the first to adopt 5G in the Middle East. These countries have been investing heavily in 5G infrastructure and have set ambitious targets for the rollout of the technology. For example, UAE has announced plans to have 5G coverage in 90% of the country by 2023. However, Saudi Arabia has set a target to have 5G coverage in 99% of populated areas by the same year. This indicates that the competition is real between the developed countries in the middle east.
Diving Into More Details
Similar to other countries, 5G will overtake other mobile technologies in Qatar this year and will represent 64.9% of all mobile subscriptions by 2025. Thanks to telcos’ promotion of 5G plans with special features and their ongoing rollout of 5G networks. For instance, to sustain and support 5G subscriber growth, Ooredoo, which is a Qatari multinational telecommunications company headquartered in Doha, has developed a 5G network expansion strategy. It partnered with major OTT video providers to increase its value proposition. And they also conduct exclusive promotional schemes on postpaid 5G packages with added benefits to attract customers.
In Europe, countries such as Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Norway are also among the early adopters of 5G. They have already begun rolling out 5G networks and are expected to continue expanding coverage in the coming years. In addition, many other countries like Germany, Spain, and Italy have also announced their plans to launch 5G by 2023.
The adoption of 5G would not be limited to the availability of the network but also the availability of 5G-enabled devices, which is a crucial part of the adoption process.
What’s Holding Them Back?
Several factors other than technological development hold countries back from adopting 5G. Countries in the MENA region, like Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain, are also expected to follow it soon. However, the rollout of 5G in these countries may be slower as they have yet to invest as much as the previously mentioned countries. Several factors may be holding back some countries from adopting 5G. One of the biggest challenges is the need for more infrastructure. Some countries may need more cell towers and other equipment to support 5G, which can be a major barrier to adoption. Additionally, the cost of upgrading infrastructure and purchasing new equipment can be high. This reason may be a barrier for some countries with limited budgets.
Another factor that may be holding back some countries is government regulations. Some countries may have strict regulations or a need for more political will to invest in new technology, which can slow down the rollout of 5G. For example, countries with a lack of government support, bureaucratic hurdles, and spectrum availability will need help rolling out 5G.
Final Thoughts
Network generations are considered a separate world that technology relies on. The rollout of 5G is expected to vary across countries, with some countries like UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar likely to adopt the technology sooner than others. However, the lack of infrastructure, costs, and government regulations may be holding back some countries from adopting 5G. Countries need to address these challenges to fully realize the potential of 5G technology and drive innovation and economic growth.
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