As Albania starts to witness a huge development in its 5G rollout, let's take a look at some of the key highs and lows of 5G infrastructure across the wider European landscape. 

UK 5G Continues to Improve  

In the UK, strong, reliable connectivity is crucial. It allows people to work from home or satellite offices, and even allows people to access entertainment on the go. With this in mind, the rollout of 5G in the UK has been prioritized, as this has the capability to improve live streaming of everything from live TV streams through apps like BBC iPlayer or ITVX to conference calls when remote working on platforms like Zoom, Teams, and Google, streaming music using platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, and even live online casino games. 

For example, online casino platforms rely on players having a good connection. This is especially the case for live games of casino blackjack like Live Lightning Blackjack, Blackjack x6 Azure, and Vegas Blackjack. In these games, players live stream the gameplay through the online portal, which allows them to communicate with the host and other players in real time. With this in mind, improved connectivity allows these games to be engaging and immersive on any device.

Source: Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/illustrations/technology-5g-icon-5348126/)

Here, the reliable connection provided by 5G is necessary for engaging entertainment services and business operations alike. It is perhaps unsurprising, then, that the UK has fully committed to improving its 5G network. In 2025, BT announced it would be slicing its network with the best 5G standalone (SA) in Europe. This rollout aims to reduce the number of blackspots, particularly in highly built-up areas like London. 

Europe Behind The World

Despite the commitment to 5G in some countries, the wider rollout of 5G across Europe has severely lacked compared to other areas. In fact, one study found that Europe is lagging so far behind the rest of the world that only 2% of Europeans connect to 5G SA. Further to this, another study found that around 40% of the European population was covered by 5G SA. 

This might not seem too bad until you look at the market leaders like the US and China. In fact, an estimated 91% of the North American public is covered by 5G SA, whilst in Asia-Pacific, it's 45%. This has led experts to claim that Europe is markedly behind the rest of the world when it comes to 5G adoption, which could lead to competitive decline and reduce the attraction of investment. 

Albania Furthers 5G Rollout 

With the above figures in mind, more technology companies are looking at ways to push the development and adoption of 5G. Most recently, the Hungarian technology company 4iG has partnered with Ericsson to deploy a next-generation 5G network for One Albania. This comes after One Albania launched commercial 5G services back in November 2024 and 4iG acquired new 5G frequencies for $5.5 million. 

The first part of the plan aims to provide high-coverage 5G to key areas like airports and hospitals in Tirana as well as coastal tourist areas. It aims to have at least mid-band 5G connectivity in all Albanian cities by 2028, eventually covering 85% of the population by 2030. This should allow Albania to have faster, reliable, and more sustainable connectivity, which can support future innovations as they come, providing much-needed adaptability. 

As you can see, whilst the UK has seen a fair amount of investment in 5G services, the overall European rollout misses the mark. Yet, with new developments in the 5G infrastructure in places like Albania, things could be looking up.