Operators stepping up preparations for 5G
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Many operators have accelerated preparations for the arrival of 5G, and are increasingly looking to the enterprise as well as the consumer market as potential customers, research from Ericsson indicates.
A survey of operators that have publicly announced intentions to deploy 5G shows that 78% are conducting 5G trials, up from just 32% during a similar survey last year.
In addition, 28% of the respondents plan to deploy 5G next year. Operators have meanwhile further evolved their business strategies for 5G services to extend beyond the consumer market.
“In the 2016 survey, 90% of the respondents pointed to consumers as the main segment in their 5G business planning,” Ericsson head of 5G commercialization Thomas Noren explained.
“This year, it is an even split between three segments and operators have identified business opportunities not only in the consumer segment but also with enterprise users and specialized industries.”
With operators considering the consumer market to be becoming saturated, 5G planning has been more evenly distributed across specialized industry segments (58%), business users (56%), and consumers (52%).
The industry segments considered to have the most potential include media and entertainment, automotive and public transport, with energy and utilities as well as healthcare being considered other attractive potential markets.
The survey also found that a clear majority of operators believe that the IoT will play an important role in the 5G ecosystem.
Questions & Answers
Q.What proportion of operators are currently undertaking 5G trials, and how does this compare to last year's figures?
What proportion of operators are currently undertaking 5G trials, and how does this compare to last year's figures?
A survey of operators shows that 78% are conducting 5G trials. This represents a significant increase from the 32% reported during a similar survey conducted last year, indicating accelerated preparation for 5G deployment.
Q.How have operators' business strategies for 5G evolved regarding target market segments?
How have operators' business strategies for 5G evolved regarding target market segments?
Operators have diversified their business strategies, now targeting enterprise users and specialized industries alongside consumers. Last year, 90% focused on consumers, but this year it's an even split across three segments.
Q.Which specific industry sectors are operators identifying as having the most potential for 5G opportunities?
Which specific industry sectors are operators identifying as having the most potential for 5G opportunities?
Operators see the most potential in media and entertainment, automotive and public transport. Energy and utilities, as well as healthcare, are also considered other attractive potential markets for 5G services.
Q.When do respondents anticipate deploying 5G, according to the survey findings?
When do respondents anticipate deploying 5G, according to the survey findings?
The survey results indicate that 28% of the operators who responded plan to deploy 5G next year. This suggests a significant portion of the industry is moving towards early implementation of the technology.
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