According to a recent report from Ofcom, the regulatory body in the UK, there are significant differences in the coverage of 5G networks in terms of population and landmass. While mobile network operators (MNOs) primarily focus on population coverage, the report emphasizes the importance of landmass coverage in reaching all corners of the market.
The report reveals that landmass coverage for 5G across individual MNOs is gradually increasing but remains relatively low overall. At the high confidence level of availability, landmass coverage ranges from 11% to 38%, and at the very high confidence level, it ranges from 6% to 26%. This indicates that there is still work to be done to achieve optimal coverage across the country.
Compared to previous years, there has been a significant improvement in premises coverage, which stands at 93% in the UK. However, only 25% of premises, at the high confidence level, are covered by all four major MNOs, namely BT/EE, Three UK, Virgin Media O2 (VM O2), and Vodafone UK. This shows that there are still areas where coverage is lacking.
Ofcom’s report highlights BT/EE as the MNO with the most extensive 5G coverage at the very high confidence level. It covers over 26% of the UK’s landmass and reaches at least 63% of premises outside major cities. On the other hand, Three UK boasts the most extensive 5G coverage at the high confidence level, reaching over 38% of landmass and 78% of premises outside major cities.
While the focus is on 5G networks, Ofcom acknowledges that 4G services are still the backbone of most consumers’ experience. Currently, 98% of premises have outdoor 4G coverage from all MNOs. However, MNOs are working towards shutting down legacy 2G and 3G networks to free up spectrum and reduce operational costs.
In conclusion, although there have been advancements in 5G coverage in the UK, there are still challenges to overcome in terms of achieving optimal landmass coverage. The transition to Standalone 5G (5G SA) networks, along with the eventual closure of 2G and 3G networks, will play a crucial role in improving coverage and meeting the needs of consumers across the country.
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The source of the article is from the blog publicsectortravel.org.uk