Covid-19 impact: 5G launches and data speeds on the path to recovery

Access this insight with a Standard plan. Contact our sales team to get started.
As operators deal with a rise in data demand and people around the world adapt to the new normal of remote working and social distancing, the performance of mobile networks is more important than ever. With the promise of faster speeds, high throughput and low latency, 5G is expected to become one of the key technologies to provide improved network performance and support this new normal of teleworking and staying at home. But plans for 5G have also been affected by Covid-19, with launches and spectrum auctions postponed. In this analysis, we look at how 5G rollouts are gathering pace again and how download speeds are now higher than they were pre-Covid-19. We also consider the critical role that policymakers have played in enabling this path to recovery.
Report details
Covid-19 impact: 5G launches and data speeds on the path to recovery
Report details
Covid-19 impact: 5G launches and data speeds on the path to recovery
Related research
The Mobile Economy Latin America 2026
The role of the mobile industry as an engine of economic development is particularly important as Latin America experiences moderate growth and persistent productivity challenges. With traditional growth drivers under pressure, digital technologies are becoming essential tools to boost competitiveness and support economic diversification. In 2025, mobile technologies and services in Latin America generated $600 billion in economic value, supported nearly 3 million jobs and contributed $50 billion in public revenues.
Mobile investment needs in Europe
Many European markets are lagging behind in terms of network quality and the deployment of advanced mobile networks. To quantify the investment required for Europe to meet its 5G goals and regain its global leadership in mobile connectivity, GSMA Intelligence conducted a detailed economic modelling exercise.
Assessing operator scale in the mobile data era in Latin America
Latin America’s mobile markets are transitioning deeper into the data era, where rising data demand, high investment requirements and declining mobile prices have made operator scale increasingly important. This report examines how market structure, consolidation and entry have affected investment, network quality and consumer outcomes across Latin America since 2010.
Authors
How to access this report
Annual subscription: Subscribe to our research modules for comprehensive access to more than 200 reports per year.
Enquire about subscriptionContact our research team
Get in touch with us to find out more about our research topics and analysis.
Contact our research teamMedia
To cite our research, please see our citation policy in our Terms of Use, or contact our Media team for more information.
Learn more- 200 reports a year
- 50 million data points
- Over 350 metrics
How can we support you?
Get in touch
Contact the GSMA Intelligence support team for help with your account, subscriptions, or access to reports and insights.
Newsletter
Subscribe to the GSMA Intelligence newsletter for the latest industry news and insights, delivered to your inbox.
