5G is everywhere, and if we don't have 5G, we don't know what to do. 4G just isn't cutting it anymore. The quality of 5G networks and what they're capable of is just so good.
The GSMA reported that 375 commercial 5G networks had launched globally by the end of 2025. Ericsson also recorded more than 220 exabytes of monthly mobile network traffic in Q2 2026, up 23% compared with the same quarter in 2025.
We're using mobile networks more than ever, so getting the best possible connection actually matters. Read on to find out how to get the most out of 5G.
Global 5G Developments and What's Expected
One of the biggest developments in 2026 is the continued move towards 5G Standalone (SA).
Most of the 5G we've been using until now still relies partly on existing 4G infrastructure. The GSMA says only roughly a quarter of operator groups globally have deployed 5G SA at scale, so there's still plenty of room for expansion.
Then there's 5G-Advanced. It's basically the next stage of 5G rather than an entirely new network generation. The technology is designed to improve things like network performance, efficiency and reliability while supporting more demanding uses, including immersive applications and connectivity for people travelling at high speeds.
The GSMA expects 5G-Advanced to become increasingly important during 2026 as operators move towards the technologies that will eventually lead into 6G.
How to Get The Most Out of 5G Networks
The first thing is obvious: you need a device that actually supports 5G.
After that, we'd check whether 5G is enabled in your phone's network settings and if your provider has decent 5G coverage where you actually live or travel. If you're travelling and have the Holafly international eSIM, for example, it'll tell you if you have a 4G and 5G connection. Coverage is more important than chasing the highest possible speed.
There's not much point having access to a network capable of ridiculous download speeds if your phone keeps dropping back to 4G where you spend most of your time.
And think about what you're actually doing. Faster 5G can be useful for downloading large files, streaming high-resolution video, gaming, video calls and using your phone as a hotspot. You don't need 500Mbps to send somebody a WhatsApp message.
What Country Has The Best 5G Connection?
There isn't one perfect answer. Speed, availability, coverage and reliability are all different things.
South Korea is regarded as one of the best countries for 5G. In Opensignal's latest South Korean network report, KT users recorded an average 5G download speed of 486.2Mbps. LG U+ users had a 5G connection 90.3% of the time, and SK Telecom led the country's reliability and consistent-quality measurements.
In Kuwait, Zain recorded an average 5G download speed of 328.8Mbps in Opensignal's February 2026 report. In the UAE, e& reached 276.1Mbps and led every measured 5G experience category in Opensignal's March report.
The important thing is that the gap between countries and networks can still be massive.
5G in 2026 is less about whether a country technically has it and more about how often you can actually connect to it, how reliable that connection is and whether your provider has built enough network capacity to make 5G noticeably better than what came before.