5G offers opportunity:

5G and the Internet of Things (IoT) will represent a 22% revenue opportunity in 2026 for telecom operators that can implement the technology in the manufacturing, transport and utilities sectors, says Ericsson Thailand.

The largest opportunity for operator-address able 5G-related revenue will be in the manufacturing (20%) and energy/ utilities sectors (16%), followed by public safety, healthcare, public transport, and media and entertainment with 12% each.

“4G and IoT are the foundation of 5G,” said Wuttichai Wutti-Udomlert, head of network solutions for Ericsson Thailand. “Thai operators need to make sure their 4G and IoT networks are in shape and 5G-ready.”

Globally, major 5G deployments are expected from 2020. Ericsson forecasts more than 1 billion 5G subscriptions for enhanced mobile broadband by the end of 2023, accounting for 12% of all mobile subscriptions.

Mobile data traffic is estimated to surge by eight times during the forecast period to reach close to 107 exabytes per month, a figure that is equal to every mobile subscriber worldwide streaming full HD video for 10 hours.

By 2023, more than 20% of mobile data traffic worldwide is expected to be carried by 5G networks. This is 1.5 times more than the total 4G/3G/2G traffic today.

5G is expected to be deployed first in dense urban areas with enhanced mobile broadband and fixed wireless access as the first commercial use cases. Other cases will come from industries such as automotive, manufacturing, utilities and healthcare.

“To prepare for 5G, the industry needs to discuss the availability of harmonised licensed spectrum, which will be the backbone of the connected ecosystem,” he said.