The introduction of 5G has created a lot of buzz worldwide. But where is 5G available in the Netherlands and worldwide? How far along are we with the rollout in the Netherlands and Europe? In this blog, we take a look at the current availability of 5G and what we can expect in the near future.

Where is 5G available in the Netherlands?

The Netherlands is one of the frontrunners in Europe when it comes to rolling out 5G. Major telecoms providers, such as Voiped, already offer nationwide 5G coverage. However, this does not mean that everyone is at the maximum speed of 5G. The Netherlands currently uses the so-called 700 MHz frequency band, which has a long range but offers less speed than higher frequencies.

The faster 3.5 GHz band, which actually provides the promising 5G speeds, is expected to be rolled out from 2025. This is because this frequency band is still in use by other services, such as satellite communications. Nevertheless, the first steps have been taken, and businesses and consumers who switch to 5G now will benefit from more stable connections and better coverage.

What about 5G in Europe?

In Europe, the rollout of 5G varies considerably between countries. Here are some key updates:

• Scandinavia (Sweden, Finland, Norway): These countries are at the forefront of 5G adoption. Thanks to strong infrastructure and early investments, there are already several cities where ultra-fast 5G networks are fully operational. Norway and Finland even have 5G networks using the higher 3.5 GHz band, providing impressive performance.
• Germany: Germany is one of the biggest investors in 5G and already offers coverage in many urban areas. Telecom providers including Voiped are focusing on extending 5G to rural regions, which is crucial for a country with a lot of industry.
• Italy and Spain: Southern European countries such as Italy and Spain have made significant strides in rolling out 5G in recent years. Major cities such as Rome, Milan, Barcelona and Madrid are hotspots for the technology, but rural areas still lag behind.
• France: France is tackling the rollout of 5G in phases. Cities such as Paris, Lyon and Marseille now have good coverage, but due to concerns about radiation and privacy, adoption here is somewhat slower than in some other countries.

The global availability of 5G

On a global level, we see that 5G is already more advanced in some regions:

• United States: In the US, telecom giants such as Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile have rolled out 5G in many urban areas. Especially in big cities like New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, the technology is already widely available. However, adoption in rural areas here is also incremental.
• Asia (China, South Korea, Japan): Asian countries are absolute leaders in 5G. China has built a huge 5G network at record speed, providing coverage in more than 300 cities. South Korea was even the first country in the world to make 5G commercially available, while Japan is targeting full coverage by 2025.
• Australia: In Australia, 5G networks are available in major cities such as Sydney and Melbourne. However, due to the huge distances between population centres, providing rural areas with 5G remains a challenge.

What does this mean for businesses?

For businesses, the availability of 5G offers new opportunities, even in areas where the technology is still under construction. With the lower latency and higher reliability of 5G, businesses can benefit from better VoIP calls, faster data transfer and improved collaboration between teams.

What can you do now?

• Check availability: Check with your telecom provider whether 5G is available in your area. Many providers offer interactive maps where you can check coverage. Are you a Voiped customer or looking to become one? Contact us for more information.
• Invest in 5G-enabled hardware: If your business is still using older phones or routers, it may be smart to invest in 5G-compatible devices in advance. This will ensure that you can benefit immediately once 5G is fully available in your region.
• Stay tuned: The rollout of 5G is moving fast, but it remains a phased process. Keep following updates on when faster frequency bands such as 3.5GHz become available.

Conclusion: The world is becoming increasingly connected

The rollout of 5G is proceeding at different speeds worldwide, but its impact is undeniable. Businesses in particular can benefit from the improvements in speed, reliability and connectivity that 5G offers. Although the technology is still under development in the Netherlands and Europe, the first steps have been taken to create a future where business internet and telephony are effortless and groundbreaking.

Want to know how your business can benefit from 5G and what it means for your business communications? Contact us and discover the possibilities!

Nov 25, 2024