The second half of the 5G era is here, and the next five years will define its success.

“5G has reached the halftime mark—five years since its launch, with another five years until 6G arrives. The second half is all to play for,” says Stephen Douglas, Head of Market Strategy at Spirent. In this episode of Technology Reseller News, host Doug Green sits down with Douglas to discuss the findings of Spirent’s 2025 5G Report, which draws insights from over 415 engagements with global operators, suppliers, governments, and enterprises. The report reveals where 5G has succeeded, where it has fallen short, and the key technologies driving growth for the next five years.

The Road So Far: 5G’s First Half

5G deployments have expanded rapidly, with over 340 commercial non-standalone (NSA) networks worldwide and 2.1 billion users. However, revenue growth has lagged behind expectations, largely due to the staggered rollout of 5G capabilities. Many operators have focused on building out infrastructure rather than launching monetizable services.

One notable exception? 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), which has emerged as the biggest commercial success of 5G’s first half. With over 162 global launches, FWA has provided an alternative to fiber, enabling broadband expansion in rural and urban markets alike.

The Second Half: The Push for Monetization

For operators, the next five years will be defined by one goal: turning 5G into a revenue-generating machine. The key enablers of this shift include:

5G Standalone (SA): Only 64 operators have launched full 5G SA networks so far. That number is expected to surge to 160+ in the next three years, unlocking new revenue streams.

Enterprise Solutions: Telcos are pivoting away from consumer-driven revenue models and toward high-value enterprise services, including private networks, industrial IoT, and AI-powered automation.

Cloud-Native Evolution: 5G core networks are transitioning to cloud-native architectures, allowing for rapid scaling, automation, and seamless software updates.

AI-Optimized Networks: AI traffic is becoming a major factor in network planning. Operators are investing in differentiated services, prioritizing AI-powered applications alongside traditional connectivity.

Future Game-Changers

Beyond 2025, several emerging technologies will redefine telecom’s role:

Reduced Capability IoT (RedCap): Lightweight, low-power 5G IoT devices will fuel growth in smart manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics.

5G-V2X for Automotive Safety: Governments are pushing for vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology to enhance road safety and optimize traffic systems.

5G-Enabled Drones: Future 5G networks will provide reliable, beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) connectivity for commercial drones.

Augmented Reality Glasses: The race is on to bring affordable, lightweight AR glasses to mass markets, potentially creating a multi-billion-dollar opportunity.

The Clock is Ticking

As operators look ahead, the pressure is on to make 5G a true business success. Spirent anticipates a surge in standalone 5G rollouts, new enterprise-driven services, and innovative use cases that will reshape the telecom landscape.

To dive deeper into these insights, download the full 2025 5G Report at Spirent.com.

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