What are the most important 5G industry trends for business strategy?

1 Enhanced mobile broadband

One of the most obvious benefits of 5G is enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), which will provide faster, more reliable, and more consistent connectivity for smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other devices. eMBB will enable new user experiences, such as immersive virtual reality, ultra-high-definition video streaming, cloud gaming, and interactive live events. eMBB will also create new opportunities for content creation, distribution, and monetization, as well as new ways to engage and retain customers. As a business strategist, you need to consider how eMBB will affect your products, services, and marketing strategies, and how you can differentiate yourself from your competitors.

2 Massive machine-type communications

Another key feature of 5G is massive machine-type communications (mMTC), which will support the connection of billions of devices, sensors, and machines, enabling the Internet of Things (IoT). mMTC will enable new applications, such as smart cities, smart agriculture, smart manufacturing, smart logistics, and smart healthcare. mMTC will also generate huge amounts of data, which will require advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, and edge computing to extract insights and value. As a business strategist, you need to consider how mMTC will affect your operations, processes, and efficiency, and how you can leverage data and automation to improve your performance and customer satisfaction.

3 Ultra-reliable low-latency communications

The third major feature of 5G is ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC), which will provide high availability, low delay, and high security for critical applications, such as autonomous vehicles, remote surgery, industrial robotics, and emergency services. URLLC will enable new levels of safety, precision, and coordination, as well as new business models, such as mobility-as-a-service, telemedicine, and remote collaboration. As a business strategist, you need to consider how URLLC will affect your risk, quality, and innovation, and how you can partner with other stakeholders to create value and solve problems.

4 Network slicing

One of the most innovative aspects of 5G is network slicing, which will allow operators to create multiple virtual networks on the same physical infrastructure, each with different characteristics and capabilities. Network slicing will enable operators to offer customized services and solutions to different customers and industries, based on their specific needs and requirements. Network slicing will also enable operators to optimize their resources, reduce costs, and increase flexibility and scalability. As a business strategist, you need to consider how network slicing will affect your relationship with your operators, your service level agreements, and your pricing and revenue models.

5 Edge computing

Another important enabler of 5G is edge computing, which will bring computing power and storage closer to the end users and devices, reducing latency, bandwidth, and energy consumption. Edge computing will enable new applications, such as augmented reality, facial recognition, and drone control, that require real-time processing and response. Edge computing will also create new opportunities for data privacy, security, and sovereignty, as well as new challenges for interoperability and integration. As a business strategist, you need to consider how edge computing will affect your data strategy, your architecture, and your governance.