London and Brussels rank among the worst major European cities for 5G coverage writes Professor Mohamed-Slim Alouini, of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) .
This is surprising given their international status, especially when compared with countries such as the United States, Sweden, Portugal, the Gulf States, China, and South Korea, which are already benefiting from widespread, high-speed connectivity.
So what will it take for lagging capitals like London to catch up—and how can they do so while preparing for the next evolution of connectivity?
A Digital Wake-Up Call
London’s 5G struggles are not just a local issue—they highlight deeper problems in infrastructure planning and regulatory frameworks. While some cities are preparing for B5G, London is still trying to fully realise the promise of 5G. But there is still time to shift course.
Prof Mohamed-Slim Alouini: the future of connectivity depends on a blend of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks
By learning from past experiences—both successful and flawed—the UK can embrace strategies that have proven effective elsewhere. Early allocation of upper mid-band spectrum, adoption of spectrum sharing, promotion of private networks, and investment in FWA can all help close the gap.
And as the future of connectivity depends on a blend of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks, decisive action now will ensure the UK remains a leader in the next generation of global connectivity.
London’s Lag: Regulatory Hurdles and Infrastructure Gaps
The reasons for London’s underperformance are complex. A key factor is how wireless spectrum—the radio waves that carry data—is managed. In the UK, mobile network operators must acquire exclusive rights to spectrum through costly government auctions. These high fees, coupled with delays in allocation and a limited supply of mid-band spectrum (around 3.5 GHz, essential for 5G’s performance), have hampered rollout and reduced network efficiency.
By contrast, countries like China, Saudi Arabia, and the US released mid-band spectrum much earlier, giving them a significant advantage. This regulatory imbalance was a major talking point at MWC, where industry leaders warned that high costs and policy delays can deter investment and slow progress.
Infrastructure challenges have also played a role. In London, difficulties obtaining permits and limited access to public assets (such as lampposts for small-cell installations) have hindered the development of dense 5G networks. These small cells are critical for delivering the high-speed, low-latency performance 5G promises. Cities like Seoul, Singapore, and New York have moved faster in deploying such infrastructure, achieving greater coverage and capacity.
Towards the Upper Mid-Band: A Strategic Shift
In the early days of 5G, the millimetre-wave spectrum (24–40 GHz) was seen as the “magic band,” promising ultra-fast speeds and huge bandwidth. However, it soon became clear that its limited range and the need for dense (and costly) small-cell networks made it less practical.
Instead, mid-band spectrum emerged as the real sweet spot—balancing speed, coverage, and capacity, especially in urban and suburban areas. Looking ahead, the upper mid-band (6–7 GHz) is poised to become the “golden band” for B5G. It offers high bandwidth, lower propagation loss, and more reliable connectivity.
One clear lesson from the 5G rollout is the importance of timely spectrum allocation. To avoid the delays that hindered cities like London, early auctioning and allocation of the upper mid-band spectrum will be essential for B5G success.
Rethinking Access: Innovation and Spectrum Sharing
Looking beyond 5G, one challenge is to use the lower parts of the spectrum more efficiently. Spectrum sharing—a long-standing subject of academic research, including at KAUST—has yet to gain real traction in commercial deployments. But now is the time for regulators to embrace it.
One successful model is the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) in the United States, which enables enterprises to access 150 MHz of mid-band spectrum for private 5G networks—bypassing traditional mobile operators. As private 5G adoption grows, models like CBRS could play a crucial role in removing deployment barriers and speeding up B5G adoption.
Fixed Wireless Access: A 5G Success Story with B5G Potential
Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) emerged at MWC as one of 5G’s biggest wins, offering high-speed connectivity in areas where fiber is expensive or difficult to deploy. FWA bypasses the need for costly trenching and permits, using 5G to deliver broadband directly.
Enabling Global Connectivity: The Promise of Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN)
At KAUST, we are exploring how non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) can work alongside terrestrial infrastructure to expand 5G reach—especially in remote or hard-to-deploy regions where fiber and towers are impractical.
By integrating satellites and stratospheric platforms into hybrid networks, we can extend coverage more efficiently. This trend is already visible in partnerships like Starlink and T-Mobile or Apple and Globalstar, which signal a shift toward a future of hybrid connectivity.
As we transition to B5G, the convergence of terrestrial and non-terrestrial infrastructure will be crucial in achieving truly global connectivity.
