Telcos Are Dragging Their Feet On Non-Terrestrial 5G
telcoms, Wednesday, April 24th, 2024
Telecoms operators are embracing the idea of using satellite technology to extend 5G mobile coverage, particularly in rural areas, but the market is not growing as quickly as we might have expected.
The number of operators brokering deals with satellite players is increasing and commercial launches are creeping up too, according to new data published by the Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) on Wednesday. But while the analyst firm sounds an optimistic note on future growth, it cautions that the market is still very much in its infancy.
As of the end of March, there were 77 publicly announced partnerships between telecoms operators and satellite vendors across 43 countries and territories worldwide, the GSA's latest market update shows. That's an increase of 28 over 12 months. Overall, 50 operators have planned satellite services - 12 more than the same time last year - nine of which are in the testing phase.