# Mobile Broadband Performance Evaluation: Analysis of National Reports
## 4 5G Communication Status
### Status by Country  
Since 5G has recently been deployed and most of the reports compiled previous years data, there is very little information as well as a quality assessment conducted by regulators. Rather, there is some information on the status and progress towards 5G, which is discussed here.  
* _USA_\(\rightarrow\) Three out of four major operators, AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon, had plans to deploy 5G networks in multiple cities starting in late 2018. **-**: States have announced a public-private partnership to improve the deployment of 5G and other broadband communication infrastructures. **-**: Recent press releases by FCC indicated the availability of a new spectrum for 5G, which means more deployments to follow [29].
* _UK_\(\rightarrow\) Ofcom claimed the UK was the leader of 5G in Europe as all four prominent MNOs started providing the service in more than 40 cities and towns [30]. Ofcom is also exploring new schemes to promote 5G. **-**: A new approach for businesses and organizations to access operator or self-deploy 5G network to endure security and privacy has been provided [31]. **-**: In addition, spectrum licensing and sharing guidelines to support this approach are also outlined [30].
* _France_\(\rightarrow\) There is very little in the report from ARCEP, which could be because France is planning to launch 5G in the year 2020. **-**: One unique requirement for 5G spectrum holders is that MNOs should deploy IPv6 compatible to ensure future-proof infrastructure.
* _Singapore_\(\rightarrow\) There are several efforts currently underway IMDA to begin the deployment of 5G by 2020 [32]. **-**: 4G TDD networks are ordered to have stringent synchronization to minimize interference such that there is minimal use of inter-operator guard bands. **-**: Spectrum sharing as most of the spectrum occupied by 4G continues to be so for the coming few years.
* _Australia_\(\rightarrow\) Two major MNOs, Telstra and Optus, have rolled out 5G, starting in 2019. Currently, there are more than 400 5G enabled sites in Australia. Compared to the rest of the nations, there are more developments in the 5G arena in Australia [15]. **-**: A communication standard to support connected and autonomous vehicles is introduced. **-**: A five-year, 2018-2022, spectrum management plan that promotes 5G was released. **-**: All major operators issued plans to start rolling out 5G by the year 2020.
* _Japan_\(\rightarrow\) MIC considers 5G as an ICT infrastructure that should not only cover residential areas but also be available nationwide. 5G was expected to be available in Sep. 2019 [16].  
Contests to promote and generate ideas on the usage of 5G were held in 2019.
* _Germany_\(\rightarrow\) As Bundesnetzagentur expects the rollout of 5G in 2020 and 2021, only spectrum regulations are in place so far, [17].
* Following old regulations, MNOs are expected to provide \(>\)97% coverage of rural and urban areas as well as transport routes.
* _Korea_\(\rightarrow\) All three major MNOs in Korea have rolled out 5G in 2019. Although there is no resounding public reception as its predecessor 4G.
* The regulatory body is also working on how to evaluate the different services that come with 5G.  
One common theme is that MNOs from the countries included in this report have started or will start rolling out 5G beginning the year 2020. However, let us also not forget that this process will be hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic, which means it will take more time to realize the full impact of 5G than expected.