5G Services to Begin in Europe in May
With 5G services set to begin in Europe next month, LG Electronics and Oppo of China are likely to compete to roll out the first 5G smartphone in Europe. LG Electronics plans to boost its market share in Europe by launching the V50 ThinQ next month.
Switzerland's state-owned mobile carrier Swisscom jointly held an event with Qualcomm on April 11 to launch the first 5G network in Europe, according to foreign news outlets. Swisscom laid out a plan to expand its 5G service throughout Switzerland by the end of this year.
LG Electronics and Oppo are highly likely to become the first company to launch a 5G phone in Europe through Swisscom. Both companies are planning to release a 5G phone in May.
LG Electronics plans to launch the V50 ThinQ next month. The V50 ThinQ’s dual screen allows a user to search for a movie’s storyline while watching it and can be divided into a screen and a controller when a user plays a game.
"LG’s dual screen can open up innovative possibilities for new products and services," Swisscom said about the V50 ThinQ. Currently, LG Electronics accounts for only 1 percent of the European smartphone market.
Oppo will also release the Reno 5G in May. "We are delighted to bring the first 5G experience to Swiss consumers through the Oppo Reno 5G," Swisscom said. Oppo plans to use the 5G phone as a stepping stone in elevating its market share in Europe, which is below 1 percent. Chinese smartphone makers are targeting Europe as there is a limit in making a foray into the United States, the largest market, due to the U.S.-China trade dispute.
Following LG Electronics and Oppo, Samsung Electronics and Huawei will launch their 5G phones in Europe. Samsung Electronics will release the Galaxy S10 5G in Switzerland in July. In addition, the Galaxy S10 5G is expected to go on sale in Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain and other countries based on their commercialization schedules. Huawei will release the foldable phone Mate X in Europe in the third quarter of this year.