When Was 5G Launched in the World? 

The fifth generation of mobile network technology, better known as 5G, has changed the way we connect, communicate, and experience the internet. From lightning-fast speeds to ultra-low latency, 5G is redefining how devices, industries, and people interact across the digital landscape. But an important question remains: When was 5G actually launched in the world?

To answer that, we need to look at the history, the development process, and how different countries introduced 5G networks. This article will guide you through the origins, testing phases, official launches, and global expansion of 5G — all in a clear and detailed way.

What Is 5G?

Before diving into the timeline, let’s understand what 5G really means.
5G represents the fifth evolution stage of mobile communication technology. It succeeds 4G LTE, offering massive improvements in speed, bandwidth, and reliability.

Key features of 5G include:

• Download speeds up to 10 Gbps (up to 100 times faster than 4G).

• Ultra-low latency, as low as 1 millisecond.

• The system delivers greater capacity, making it possible for countless devices to stay connected together.

• Support for advanced technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), autonomous vehicles, and smart cities.

These capabilities didn’t happen overnight. It took years of research, international collaboration, and innovation to bring 5G to life.

The Early Development of 5G Technology (2008–2015)

The journey toward 5G began long before its official launch. Around 2008, researchers and telecom companies began discussing the limitations of 4G and exploring what the next generation of mobile networks might look like.

• 2008–2010: Early discussions about 5G began in academic and industry circles. Researchers proposed faster data transmission, lower latency, and more efficient spectrum use.

• 2012: The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a UN agency responsible for global telecom standards, started to outline early goals for 5G under the project name IMT-2020.

• 2015: The ITU officially defined the performance requirements for 5G, setting clear benchmarks for data rates, capacity, and latency.

By 2015, the foundation was laid. Telecom companies like Ericsson, Nokia, Huawei, and Samsung had already begun field testing 5G prototypes to prepare for the next big leap in communication.

The First 5G Trials (2016–2018)

Between 2016 and 2018, 5G entered its testing and pilot phase. Major countries and telecom operators began rolling out experimental networks to test the technology’s capabilities.

• 2016:

  • South Korea and Japan took the lead in early 5G trials, especially ahead of major events like the 2018 Winter Olympics.

  • The United States and China also started conducting limited field trials to evaluate 5G performance in urban areas.

• 2017:

  • Verizon and AT&T in the U.S. launched fixed 5G trials in several cities.

  • South Korea successfully demonstrated pre-5G technology, achieving record-breaking speeds.

  • Europe began 5G testbeds in the UK, Germany, and Finland.

• 2018:

  • Telecom companies refined 5G equipment and spectrum allocation.

  • In December 2018, 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) — the body responsible for developing mobile communication standards — officially completed the first global 5G NR (New Radio) specification.

This marked the technical birth of 5G as a standardized global technology, paving the way for commercial deployment.

The First Official 5G Launches (2019)

The year 2019 was the turning point — the world’s first commercial 5G networks officially launched. Several countries raced to be the first to activate true 5G services.

South Korea – The First Country to Launch 5G

South Korea became the first country in the world to commercially launch 5G on April 3, 2019.
Major telecom companies SK Telecom, KT Corporation, and LG Uplus activated 5G services nationwide.

South Korea’s launch marked a historic milestone. Within months, millions of users had access to 5G smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G, and the country rapidly built one of the world’s most advanced networks.

United States – Early Leader in 5G Rollout

In the same year, the United States followed closely.

• Verizon launched its first 5G Ultra Wideband service in Chicago and Minneapolis in April 2019.

• AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint soon expanded coverage across the country.

The U.S. initially focused on millimeter-wave (mmWave) frequencies, which deliver extremely fast speeds but with shorter range. Over time, the networks expanded to include low-band and mid-band spectrums for broader coverage.

China – Massive 5G Expansion

China launched its commercial 5G networks in November 2019, led by China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom.
China quickly became the largest 5G market in the world, investing billions in infrastructure. By 2021, the country had built more than 1 million 5G base stations nationwide.

Europe’s 5G Beginnings

Europe also joined the 5G revolution in 2019:

• Finland launched its first 5G network through Elisa in Helsinki and Tampere.

• UK operators like EE and Vodafone began rolling out 5G services across major cities.

• Germany and Switzerland followed soon after, making Europe one of the most active 5G regions.

Global 5G Expansion (2020–2022)

By 2020, 5G was no longer an experiment — it was becoming mainstream. The rollout expanded to hundreds of cities across Asia, Europe, North America, and the Middle East.

2020: The Year of Wider Adoption

• Japan launched commercial 5G in March 2020 through NTT Docomo and SoftBank.

• Australia, Canada, and Saudi Arabia began large-scale deployments.

• Many smartphone manufacturers, including Apple, released 5G-compatible devices like the iPhone 12, accelerating consumer adoption.

2021: Global Competition Intensifies

By 2021, over 60 countries had active 5G networks.
Governments viewed 5G as strategic digital infrastructure critical for innovation, national security, and economic growth.
Countries like India, Brazil, and South Africa began preparing spectrum auctions and policy frameworks to introduce 5G.

2022: 5G Becomes a Global Standard

By mid-2022:

• Over 200 mobile operators in more than 80 countries offered 5G services.

• 5G coverage reached urban and suburban areas in most developed nations.

• Industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, and transportation began integrating 5G into real-world applications.

5G Launch Timeline Summary

When Did 5G Become Available Worldwide?

While 2019 marks the official launch year, 5G didn’t appear in every country at once.
By 2025, nearly every developed country and most emerging economies have some level of 5G coverage. The technology is expected to cover two-thirds of the global population by 2026, according to industry estimates.

The Impact of 5G on Society

The launch of 5G is more than just a technological upgrade — it represents a new digital era.

1. Revolutionizing Communication

5G has drastically improved video calls, streaming quality, and gaming experiences by reducing lag and boosting connection stability.

2. Powering Smart Cities

With 5G, cities can deploy smart infrastructure like real-time traffic management, energy-efficient grids, and advanced surveillance systems.

3. Enabling Autonomous Vehicles

The ultra-low latency of 5G is essential for self-driving cars, allowing them to react instantly to surroundings.

4. Supporting Industry 4.0

Manufacturing, logistics, and agriculture are using 5G-enabled automation, robotics, and sensors to enhance productivity and safety.

5. Expanding Remote Healthcare

5G allows remote surgeries, telemedicine, and real-time patient monitoring, transforming healthcare delivery, especially in remote areas.

Future of 5G and Beyond

As of 2025, 5G continues to expand globally, but the industry is already looking ahead to 6G — the next generation of mobile technology expected around 2030.
6G aims to deliver even faster speeds, AI-driven network management, and true holographic communication.

Meanwhile, 5G is being enhanced with AI integration, network slicing, and edge computing, making it more powerful and adaptable for the modern world.

So, when was 5G launched in the world?
The answer lies in April 2019, when South Korea became the first country to officially launch 5G commercially. Soon after, nations like the United States, China, Finland, and the UK followed, marking a global wave of technological transformation.

Since then, 5G has rapidly spread across continents, reshaping industries, economies, and everyday life. What started as an ambitious idea over a decade ago has now become a reality that connects billions of people and devices — forming the backbone of the modern digital world.

As we look toward the future, one thing is certain: 5G isn’t just a faster network; it’s the foundation of global innovation that will power everything from smart homes to space communication in the years ahead.