2019 has been quite a year for the UK from a connectivity point of view. The country became one of the first nations in Europe to launch commercial 5G mobile network services last month, when EE switched on its 5G networks.
The UK has made similarly impressive strides on the fixed line side of things, seeing a seven-fold increase in FTTH penetration levels since this time last year. I mean, sure, seven times nothing is still not very much at all, but it’s a start!
To its credit, the government seems to have recognised the need to safeguard its digital economy (especially in a post-Brexit setting) and is playing a proactive role in cultivating investment in both the fixed line and mobile sectors.
With Connected Britain 2019 just around the corner, what better time than now to stop and take stock of the UK’s position in the global telecoms arena and ask ‘what’s next’?
5G
The UK has established itself as an early adopter of 5G and is well positioned to continue to lead, particularly in Europe. EE, Vodafone, O2 and Three have all committed to launch 5G mobile services in 2019, although so far, EE is the only one to have actually launched.
“Launching 5G is going to provide a [download speed] uplift of around 150Mbps and often far more than that. It's going to be a premium experience, it will be like having a lane to yourself on the motorway…read more on TotalTele.com »