Wrapping up MWC24 - 5 take aways

That's it for another year of Mobile World Congress Barcelona. Going to this mega-event each year, you can take away something different whether that is something you saw from the device manufacturers or the country displays or perhaps even from the 4YFN stands that showcase start-ups and their business breakthroughs. But there are always some lasting impressions that would be hard for anyone to miss regardless of your individual experience. I can recommend this video by Duncan Stewart that provides an elegant wrap (avec foulard) here.

Top 5 takeaways in no particular order except for #1 being the most prevalent:

1. Generative AI emerges as a game-changer, revolutionising content creation and decision-making: It was hard to avoid the topic of AI and particularly Gen AI which featured in many of the keynote presentations and software discussions. It was also demonstrated from 'Gen AI Makers Lab' to applications in R&D, employee training, customer service through chatbots, bill clarifications, personalised advertising, troubleshooting, and business analytics. There is hype but there is also reality as Gen AI looks to drive efficiency at this early stage.
2. A visible lack of 6G. BUT 5G technology evolves, enhancing connectivity for automation and immersive experiences: There was a visible lack of 6G across the event compared to MWC23. This perhaps reflects the mood of operators to start to use what they have and realise the full potential of the current network equipment available. 5G is at ~2Bn connections globally today so penetration is growing and with it the access to enhanced connectivity and immersive experiences. So when might we see 6G (2035?, 2040?)
3. 5G Monetisation... FWA is the (only) answer for now: FWA is still the only killer app for 5G monetisation in 2024, particularly in the US market or emerging markets with fewer fibre connectivity options. This does not easily translate across the globe so then the question comes as to what the growth areas in 5G might be where FWA isn't a large growth story. Lots of 5G slicing use cases and pilots but these are relatively niche in application in 2024.
4. Sustainability becomes a tech imperative, with advancements in eco-friendly solutions: Several announcements were made by operators and equipment providers about the launch and adoption of more eco-friendly features in the network (e.g. Mass-MIMO sleep mode). These innovations aim to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions, with a significant emphasis on the Radio Access Network (RAN), which accounts for about 80% of mobile network energy consumption. Orange for example plans to implement Nokia's "extreme deep sleep" solution for energy reduction in RAN, while Ericsson introduces energy-saving features. Additionally, Nokia's Virtual Power Plant concept offers a monetization opportunity for operators using backup battery power. All this comes at a time when energy prices are on the rise and emissions targets are now becoming standardised and reported on across the industry.
5. Data from space to device - a year of testing in 2024 but in the long run...who is going to pay for it?: At MWC, AT&T and AST SpaceMobile discussed their efforts to establish satellite connectivity as a commercial reality, contrasting the high-profile partnership between T-Mobile and SpaceX's Starlink. AT&T highlighted 2024 as crucial for testing and defining their commercial model. AST plans to launch five BlueBird satellites in Q2 to start offering initial services, aiming for a full deployment of 90 satellites. This approach emphasizes higher capacity and power of AST's satellites compared to the extensive constellation of Starlink. The collaboration focuses on enhancing consumer-friendly satellite bandwidth services, distinguishing it from emergency or messaging-first solutions. The cost of accessing high-bandwidth services is likely to be prohibitive in the short to mid term.

MWC Barcelona once again showcased innovations and insights across the telecom industry. It is perhaps more relevant in 2024 than ever. These 5 developments and others point towards a future where technological advancements and sustainability go hand in hand, paving the way for more efficient, accessible, and eco-friendly communication solutions.