Future connectivity developments

In this section we will detail the technologies and capabilities on the horizon that may impact mobile connectivity availability. It is important to note that these technologies are not currently commercially available for deployment, so should not be considered a factor in connectivity decisions made today.

When it will be available

Gradual across next 18 months to 2 years.

What it does

For mobile data the frequency it is broadcast at determines both its coverage and the speed, with lower frequencies providing broader coverage but lower speeds and higher frequencies providing greater speed but at the cost of lower range and penetration.

The 5G standard supports 3 frequency bands:

• low-band (700 MHz)
• mid-band (3.4 to 3.8GHz)
• high-band (24.25 to 27.5 GHz)

The current deployments for 5G in the UK, and much of the world, uses the 3.4 to 3.6 GHz sub-part of the mid-band spectrum, meaning that only part of the overall spectrum is in use and as such 5G has not yet achieved its full potential in terms of coverage.

As previously mentioned, the frequency range available for mobile coverage has an impact on it’s range and penetration, particularly impacting the level and quality of coverage available in hard to reach areas with fewer 5G masts.

The 700MHz band is low frequency spectrum. This is designed to provide 5G over wide areas (such as rural locations) and indoors. It relies on low frequency spectrum simply because it travels further than high frequency spectrum, and has less difficulty passing through obstacles, such as walls.

Learn more about mobile data and how it operates.

The aspiration with opening up this low-band range for 5G is to achieve 100% coverage across the UK, albeit at lower data rates (about 50mbps) than the higher frequency ranges provide.

This opening up of the spectrum is planned to take place across the next 18 months and should lead to greater 5G coverage being available in some areas, supporting enhanced connectivity and addressing connectivity challenges for peripatetic workers with 5G enabled devices and data contracts.

The rollout is managed by the mobile network operators (MNO) and as such timelines and approach will differ depending on your MNO. If you have any questions on rollout in your region, we encourage you to contact your MNO account manager.

Learn more about 5G frequency bands and spectrum allocation in the UK.

When it will be available

Commercial roll out of the capability for high end devices and specialist use cases anticipated in the next 1 to 2 years.

What it does

Satellites are increasingly being used to support 4G and 5G networks, in particular for the delivery of bandwidth-demanding application data. In addition to wide coverage areas and low latency, satellites can provide high-speed backhaul connectivity, allowing operators to connect their network to the internet or other networks.

Traditionally, the satellite industry has primarily been focused on imaging services such as weather monitoring, television broadcasting or positioning services such as GPS. Until recently, satellites have not been well suited to communications applications due to low data rates offered, high costs and high latency. For mobile networks, low data rates and the lack of signal for handsets indoors have made satellites largely unsuitable, except in niche applications such as emergency calls from sea or other remote and isolated areas.

Recent trials and pilots by network and device manufacturers have demonstrated the capability of mobile using satellite connectivity for internet access to make calls and send and receive application data around the world. Whilst the capability is not yet mature enough for commercial rollout it is anticipated that mobile connectivity via satellite will have a huge, positive impact on the availability of mobile connectivity, particularly for remote or rural areas not well served by infrastructure on the ground.