5G is gaining momentum globally. According to the Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA), 294 operators in 109 countries and regions had launched 5G services, either mobile or fixed wireless access, as of November 2023. Many of the emerging 5G markets are in developing areas, indicating that 5G is a truly global phenomenon. Since 2023, 11 additional countries and regions have made commercial 5G newly accessible, including six in Africa. Of the 29 newly launched 5G networks, 14 are in Africa. Unsurprisingly, global 5G population coverage has increased year by year as well. As of September 2023, 5G networks had covered 36.9% of the world’s population, a year-on-year increase of 6.4%. Notably, 5G population coverage had surpassed 50% in 60 countries and regions, or 58% of 5G-available countries and regions, and even 90% in 29 countries and regions. Globally, this figure is projected to exceed 50% by 2026, as shown in Fig. 2.1.