5G standalone now carries 31 per cent of all 5G traffic in the UK.
That share equates to 109 petabytes out of total 5G traffic that reached 348 petabytes in July 2025, up 53 per cent on the previous year. The data, drawn from Ofcom's Connected Nations report, records the first detailed breakdown of standalone performance and shows the infrastructure expanding at pace.
The number of 5G standalone base stations climbed from 3,300 to more than 12,000 within 12 months. These sites now represent over 14 per cent of the UK's total base station stock. Coverage from at least one operator stretches across 83 per cent of non-premises areas at high confidence levels.
Sixty-three per cent of 5G handsets in circulation are standalone capable. Overall, 66 per cent of mobile handsets support 5G. The combination of device readiness and network build-out has allowed traffic to shift steadily toward the more advanced architecture.
Operator investment drives expansion
Mobile network operators have accelerated their 5G standalone strategies as demonstrated by the growth in 5G standalone traffic, according to Juniper Research. The firm anticipates continued rollout in 2026 through further upgrades and new base stations, projecting strong increases in both network capacity and traffic volumes.
This pattern of private capital deployment illustrates how competition among operators delivers digital infrastructure without central direction. The result is higher data throughput, lower latency potential and greater reliability for businesses and households alike. Such connectivity underpins productivity gains that flow through supply chains, remote working and emerging digital services.
