5G Core Operator Survey 2025 Edition Findings

This report is the 2025 Edition of the Heavy Reading 5G Core Operator Survey, which presents findings from a survey conducted in spring 2025. The survey indicates that 5G standalone (SA) is gaining traction, with 35% of operators already live and 20% expected to be operational by year-end. The primary motivation for investment in 5G core technology is the desire for new or improved services, cited by 41% of respondents. However, this figure does not represent a majority, suggesting a variety of secondary factors influencing investment decisions. The report also discusses the current state of network slicing, noting that only 11% of respondents have deployed slicing use cases, while 15% are in the implementation phase. Additionally, the survey highlights the readiness of mobile operators to transition to cloud-native infrastructure, with 33% already utilizing cloud-native network functions. The findings provide insights into the evolving landscape of 5G core technology and its implications for future service capabilities.