Reasons for the aforementioned optimism regarding timescale include the anticipated launch of 5G devices on the part of “all major Android smartphone makers” by the end of next year. At the same time, according to the report, the way has also been cleared for a 5G-enabled iPhone, following the end of recent dispute between Apple and Qualcomm.
As well as the new devices, there will also be a proliferation of 5G networks, with “practically all major operators” in Western Europe, North America, China and Japan participating.
Speaking of the anticipated proliferation of devices in particular, CCS Insight vice president of forecasting Marina Koytcheva said: "Fierce competition, coupled with subsidies and incentives in certain markets, will ensure rapid price erosion of 5G devices in 2020. This will facilitate fast adoption of 5G by smartphone users.
“Operators will wish to move to 5G to take advantage of capacity gains and lower costs for serving [those] users, whose appetite for mobile data is quickly growing.”
The document launched on the same day on which it has been reported that the UK government will grant Huawei a limited role in the construction of its 5G network, while simultaneously being banned from supplying core elements. According to The Guardian newspaper, this runs against the advice of both the United States and some UK security chiefs, with the latter questioning the degree to which the company should be involved in the process.
As per statements released by Vodafone and BT, and quoted by CCS Insight, without the input of the Chinese giant, 5G in Europe could be delayed by more than a year.
