Global 5G Status with Världsomspännande RF Drive Test Tools & Wireless Survey Software

Recent data show that more than 60 percent of the world’s population can now access 5G networks This figure aligns closely with reports from the ITU, which put global 5G coverage at approximately 51 percent by the end of 2024 Meanwhile, sources focused on 2025 suggest that coverage has already exceeded the 60 percent mark. So, now let us look into Global 5G Deployment Status along with Smart LTE RF drive test tools in telecom & Cellular RF drive test equipment and Smart Wireless Survey Software Tools & Wifi site survey software tools in detail.

Coverage varies significantly by region. High-income countries average between 80–90 percent coverage, while low-income nations lag far behind, with as little as 4 percent coverage Urban-rural gaps are also substantial: urban areas often have above 90 percent coverage, while rural regions average around 30 percent

Leading countries in 5G deployment include:

China, home to over 60 percent of global 5G base stations and over 700 million subscribers
South Korea, known for near-universal 5G availability.
United States, with over 200,000 5G cell sites
Japan, where coverage exceeds 60 percent.

Although Europe trails behind the US and East Asia—hovering below 50 percent in many countries—some progress is being made.

What’s Delivered: From Speed to Capacity

5G networks today offer:

Peak data rates in hundreds of Mbps to several Gbps.
Latency under 10 ms.
Support for dense device deployments in sectors like IoT, industry, and transport.

By stacking mid-band and higher frequencies, operators balance capacity and signal reach. In many countries, mid-band (sub‑6 GHz) enables broader coverage, complemented by low-band carriers for deep rural reach and high-band mmWave for ultra-high speed in urban zones

What’s Next: 3GPP Release 18 (5G‑Advanced)

Release 18 marks the start of the 5G‑Advanced era, adding key capabilities beyond Rel‑17. Three major introductions are:

1. RedCap – Streamlined IoT Devices

Also known as NR‑Light, RedCap trims device complexity by limiting transmitter/receiver chains and bandwidth. This reduces cost and power usage while maintaining 5G‘s efficiency Release 18 expands on RedCap by adding positioning support and enabling ultra-low-power modes

2. GNSS‑independent Time Synchronization

Traditional cellular networks rely on external GNSS signals (like GPS) for timing. Release 18 defines alternative methods—such as timing transfers from cell towers—to sync base stations and devices without satellite inputs. This lowers cost and improves reliability in indoor and shielded environments.

3. Satellite‑free Geolocation and Non‑Terrestrial Networks (NTN)

Release 18 introduces precise device positioning using only cellular signals, including carrier-phase measurements and sidelink support Ericsson. It also formalizes support for NTN: satellites, UAVs, and high-altitude platforms. Standards for NB‑IoT/eMTC over NTN now include half-duplex modes, mobility handling, and RF specifications.

Why These Upgrades Matter

RedCap, IoT Expansion

IoT devices often demand modest data rates but must be cost-effective and battery efficient. RedCap fits these needs, improving the economics for edge devices while ensuring compatibility within the 5G eco‑system.

Time Sync Without GNSS

Relying on satellites introduces vulnerabilities like signal loss and added hardware. Tower-based timing ensures consistent operation even in GNSS-denied settings such as underground or buildings.

Hybrid Positioning, Always-Connected Environments

Satellite-free positioning reduces GNSS dependency, enables denser urban or indoor tracking, and increases resilience. NTN broadens coverage to remote zones—like oceans, deserts, or rural regions—ensuring IoT and public safety networks are truly global .

Use Cases Enabled by Rel‑18

Smart Cities & Infrastructure
Battery-powered sensors (e.g., air quality, traffic) can now use RedCap with built-in positioning—without GPS—all managed via urban cellular/NTN networks.
Emergency & Remote Response
First responders and disaster teams get reliable time sync and location indoors or via satellite, even when conventional infrastructure fails.
Industrial Automation
Factories can deploy wireless IoT devices with precise timing and location, enabling robotic coordination and asset tracking without adding GNSS hardware.
Agricultural Monitoring
NTN-supported sensor nodes can transmit data from remote fields to towers or satellites on fixed schedules with synchronized time stamping for analytics.

Looking Ahead: Release 19 and Beyond

Work on Release 19 began in late 2023 and continues expanding the 5G‑Advanced toolkit. Future efforts include ultra high‑accuracy positioning, enhanced AI methods, network slicing for vertical industries, XR support, and improved multicast delivery.

Summary

Access: Global 5G coverage has passed 60 percent (over 4.7 billion people), although region and income-level disparities persist.
Technology: 5G combines low-, mid-, and high-band signals to deliver a mix of coverage and speed.
Release 18 Innovations:
1. RedCap: Simplified 5G for cheap, low-power IoT devices.
2. Time Sync Without Satellites: Reliable timing without GNSS.
3. Cellular Positioning & NTN Support: Accurate location and non-terrestrial coverage.
Impact: These additions enable scalable IoT, resilient public services, and extended rural/remote connectivity.
What’s Next: Release 19 will continue refining and adding capabilities, strengthening 5G’s role in emerging technologies.

By improving efficiency, lowering dependency on satellite systems, and extending geolocation and IoT functionality, Release 18 pushes 5G toward broader utility—supporting more devices, applications, and environments than ever before.

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