Abstract: | The first waves of the fifth generation of mobile phone technology, 5G, are breaking on the telecommunication shores of the United Kingdom. The government's ambition is for the United Kingdom to be a global leader in 5G mobile technology, but its widespread commercial deployment faces a number of barriers and challenges. The aims of this commentary paper are to outline the main characteristics and rollout of 5G mobile technology, to explore the forces driving and shaping the 5G market, to examine the perceived barriers to the deployment of 5G networks, and to offer some wider reflections on the rollout of 5G. |