Although momentum for 5G standalone (SA) deployment is growing, actual progress remains slow. Research firm

 Dell'Oro Group notes that only 71 mobile network operators (MNOs) worldwide have launched 5G SA services 

for consumers, representing approximately 10% of the world's more than 700 operators. Even more surprising 

is that, already in the second half of 2025, only five new 5G SA network deployments have been launched globally, 

a significant slowdown from the 12 planned in 2024, 15 in 2023, and 19 in 2022.

Dave Bolan, research director at Dell'Oro Group, stated that despite entering the sixth year of the 5G SA era, 

deployment progress remains lagging. He added that other operators have plans to launch 5G SA networks 

in the coming years, but did not provide specific timelines. These include Bouygues Telecom and SFR in France, 

Bharti Airtel in India, MTN in Nigeria and South Africa, Rakuten Mobile in Japan, and Vodacom in South Africa.

Despite slow deployment, 5G SA is driving operator investment in mobile core network (MCN) equipment. 

Growth in 5G SA users and deployments drove 31% year-over-year growth in the 5G MCN market in the second 

quarter of 2025, with the overall MCN market also experiencing a solid 19% growth. Dell'Oro Group has therefore

 raised its full-year 2025 year-over-year growth forecast to 10%. The firm anticipates 5G MCN revenue to grow 

at a compound annual growth rate of 6% from 2024 to 2029.