5G has emerged as a competitor to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites and broadband access in Europe. This transition demonstrates 5G’s impact and potential to reshape how enterprises operate and connect their operations.
5G performance is positioning cellular networking options as a flexible, efficient and agile alternative to wired broadband and LEOs. 5G’s lower latency enables near-instantaneous communication and response times, while improved bandwidth ensures smooth and uninterrupted data transfer, even in high-density areas. Faster upload and download speeds enable efficient file transfers, seamless streaming, and enhanced user experiences.
This is further emphasised by the findings of CELLSMART’s Europe 2023 report, which revealed that Spain had achieved speeds of 1.1Gbps. Average speeds have increased rapidly to reach 1Gbps plus results in H1 2023, demonstrating 5G’s rapid growth rate and potential for development in a short period of time. While in the same period, the progress in LEO and wired connectivity is projected to grow from $949.32 million to $1.1 billion by 2026 according to Research & Markets.
By leveraging the business-grade network performance of 5G, businesses and industry professionals can generate value-adding outcomes such as flexibility and agility. Real-time collaboration, remote work capabilities, and access to critical files and knowledge from everywhere become possible. The healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, retail and entertainment industries are experiencing a transformation powered by this technology, enabling organisations to drive innovation and maintain a competitive edge in the digital world.
With cellular networks emerging as an alternative solution, organisations can connect in a broader range of locations, ensuring they meet the growing need for widespread connectivity. Through proactive adoption and implementation of 5G, Europe is driving progress in a range of industries and sectors. The impressive performance of Europe’s cellular networks positions wireless connectivity as a viable alternative to traditional broadband and LEO satellites.
Europe’s adoption of 5G networks forecasts a promising future for connectivity globally. If 5G continues to develop at its current rate, traditional connectivity options may struggle to maintain a competitive edge in the connectivity space. 5G networks will continue to reshape industries, creating new possibilities, offering businesses competitive speeds and impressive results.
The opportunity in enabling remote sites
According to Market & Markets, the global 5G services industry spending value will increase from $107 billion to $331.1 billion over the next four years. This growth is set to reshape existing practices and pave the way for entirely new paradigms, all fuelled by the power of wireless connectivity.
Demand for high-speed, high-performance connectivity in rural locations is on the rise. While LEO satellites and wired broadband have the capacity to keep up, organisations are looking for a more agile and flexible solution to connect across continents.
It is key for organisations to turn to other methods of connectivity and see where the best network coverage is in real-time using an intelligent network partner.
Wired broadband connections often incur high costs and time-consuming installations, particularly in rural or underserved areas. LEO satellites face challenges related to consistency and availability due to factors such as weather conditions and satellite positioning.
The limitations of these conventional options are becoming increasingly apparent, as they fail to meet the growing needs of businesses.
A flexible and agile solution
European organisations want faster speeds, lower latency and better performance rates than traditional technologies currently offer them. Cellular networks are emerging as a solution for growth and innovation, but some need convincing that they are a viable alternative to trusted, traditional connectivity methods such as broadband and LEO satellites.
According to CELLSMART’s 2023 Europe Report, European cellular networks are achieving peak download speeds of 1.1Gbps. This performance demonstrates the potential for 5G networks to deliver speeds that competitor technologies such as LEO satellites and wired broadband cannot offer.
MAXIMUM DOWNLOAD SPEEDS – OUTDOOR (Mbps)
- Spain – 1114.00
- Germany – 1035.00
- Austria – 921.10
- France – 803.96
- Norway – 789.00
MAXIMUM DOWNLOAD SPEEDS – INDOOR (Mbps)
- Norway – 1124.00
- Spain – 1075.00
- Germany – 929.10
- France – 898.00
- Great Britain – 602.00
Businesses that rely on traditional connectivity options to maintain operations won’t access the impressive growth rate and capabilities 5G can bring to the table. LEOs and wired broadband can no longer meet the demands of businesses operating in remote areas and data-intensive environments. Outdated infrastructure and insufficient speeds are inhibiting progress and hindering opportunities for innovation.
A cellular-focused future
As more and more 5G networks achieve consistent 1 Gbps results, businesses that embrace the technology can expect to achieve new connectivity levels and improve business outcomes. 5G is a driver for digital transformation due to its growing ability to provide speeds that match those of broadband and LEOs, paired with increased flexibility and agility. With its capacity to drive innovation, cellular networks pave the way for transformation in business operations, enabling new and bigger contracts to be won.
Europe is ready for fixed wireless access. 5G is beginning to mature into a justifiable investment that is ready to serve as an alternative to wired broadband and LEO’s in multiple countries throughout Europe.
Its performance rates rival those of broadband and LEO meaning cellular should be considered when connecting enterprise locations. It’s a viable option.
