Unleashing the Power of 5G SA: Industry Predictions for 2025
The mobile industry has experienced another significant year in 2024, marked by continued advancements in nationwide connectivity. As we approach the end of the year, we’ve invited industry experts to share their insights and predictions for what 2025 might hold for the mobile industry. Check out these fascinating forecasts below.
Belinda Fawcett, Chair, Mobile Infrastructure Forum
“In 2025, mobile technology will drive significant advancements in 5G deployment, evolving into 5G Stand Alone (SA) for greater data connectivity, lower latency, and enhanced capacity. We can expect to see a stronger integration of IoT solutions, facilitating smarter cities and more connected industries, from healthcare to agriculture.
“Additionally, there will be a push towards resilience solutions, as the government seeks to ensure reliable power for networks during severe storms and outages. Innovative fixed wireless access (FWA) networks will bridge the gaps where fibre is missing, effectively addressing the last mile challenge and helping to close the digital divide, particularly in rural areas. Sustainability will remain a priority, ensuring that mobile infrastructure supports both technological growth and environmental responsibility.”
Darren Zitren, Cluttons
“It shouldn’t be any real surprise that we are forecasting for 2025 a significant increase in 5G standalone (SA) sites in the UK. This will be driven by government targets (for 2030) and the country's accelerating adoption of next-generation mobile technology. As demand for faster, more reliable connectivity grows, mobile and infrastructure providers are shifting from non-standalone (NSA) 5G, which relies on existing 4G infrastructure, to fully independent 5G SA networks.
“This transition allows for enhanced features such as ultra-low latency, improved network slicing, and support for massive IoT deployments, key for industries like healthcare, manufacturing, and autonomous vehicles. Investments in 5G infrastructure are expected to surge as the UK government and telecom operators push to meet connectivity goals, driving the expansion of dedicated 5G SA sites, particularly in urban centres, industrial hubs, and transport corridors. This increased deployment will play a pivotal role in establishing the UK as a leader in the digital economy.”
Lesley Holt, West Midlands 5G
“In 2025, UK telecom operators will continue expanding their 5G networks, aiming to meet the government’s goal of achieving 5G Standalone (5GSA) coverage in all populated areas by 2030. This will unlock 5G’s full potential, supporting high-speed, low-latency connections essential for VR/AR, advanced IoT and many other applications. With 5G enabling massive machine-type communication, smart cities and IoT integration will drive innovation in sectors like healthcare and logistics. Operators are increasingly adopting cloud-native architectures, leveraging AI to enhance network scalability, flexibility, and efficiency. The introduction of Open RAN architectures is expected to encourage greater competition in the supply chain, lowering deployment costs and fostering more flexible, innovative solutions.
“Programmes funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), such as the UK Telecoms Innovation Network (UKTIN) and 5G Innovation Regions (5GIR), have demonstrated the viability of these technologies, identifying key use cases and benefits. However, further collaboration between the government and the telecoms ecosystem is necessary in 2025 and beyond to address adoption challenges and fully realise the economic advantages 5G and advanced wireless technologies offer the UK. WM5G continues to play a key role in these initiatives and others to help remove barriers to enable digital connectivity services for all and to accelerate adoption for the benefit of the UK’s economy and health & wellbeing of its citizens.”
Matt Howett, Assembly Research
“Aside from greater adoption of 5G, and the enablement of real-time applications like AR/VR, we expect online safety to be a focus over the next year. Protecting children online and restricting access to harmful material, whether at the device level or by social media platforms, will be top of mind, particularly as Ofcom finalises Online Safety Act codes and guidance, and if a proposed bill limiting smartphone access for children manages to navigate the legislative process.
“As operators target emissions reductions in their own operations, but also their supply chains, sustainability will also be a priority. The use of more eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient designs, plus the transition to renewables will no doubt shape the next generation of mobile technology and networks.”
Iain Morris, Light Reading
“Fed up with bad data connectivity indoors and the hassle of connecting to public Wi-Fi? Next year might see the start of change as UK telcos invest in "standalone" 5G, a version of the tech that promises better coverage inside buildings, among other things.
“BT and Virgin Media O2 have already launched services in some cities, while Vodafone and Three are due to invest £11 billion over ten years in standalone 5G following approval of their merger. If standalone is the platform needed for more advanced services, as analysts say, the UK could soon be in a much stronger position.”
Roslyn Layton, Strand Consult
As the 2024 critical year of elections closes, voters have reminded leaders what matters most: the economy and security. Going forward, this suggests a shift to common sense mobile telecom policies which promote growth, investment, and resilience. Whatever the claim of Brussels over the last decade, the fact remains that the EU economy has stagnated while the US has doubled. The UK should follow the US lead and focus on deregulation, consolidation, rational spectrum allocation, and network security. Ofcom and CMA seem aware; let’s hope Parliament gets the message.
