As the basis for future mobile communication, 5G will be much more than just another more powerful standard. 5G enables comprehensive networking of people, devices and processes and therefore represents a massive change from a technical, social and, not least, economic perspective.
This time, the eighth edition of the conference focused on the necessary renewals and innovations in business models for the 5G-based services of the future.
Mobile Reshapes the World
Ken Hu, Rotating CEO, Huawei, took up the motto “Mobile Reshapes the World” in his keynote speech and emphasized the economic importance of 5G. He thus set the course for the conference. According to Hu, the most important drivers for 5G in the market will be its high availability and high bandwidth. Future mobile networks will be able to operate automatically, self-optimizing and self-healing, according to his vision. Numerous players are currently in the process of developing business models. However, it will be important that the transformation of mobile networks is completed before the introduction of new 5G-based services. Only then can the transition from 4G to 5G be a success. Hu emphasized the need to open up new, lucrative business areas, as this is the only way to justify the high investment costs for the expansion. Demand for streaming content as a driver for development
The need for fast data connections is undeniably growing. This is particularly evident in the increasing use of moving images with ever higher resolutions. Currently, every mobile user streams 36 minutes of video content. This growing popularity of video streaming is a major challenge and opportunity for the telecommunications industry, said David Lynn, CEO of Viacom International, in his presentation on mobile video content. Intelligent and flexible production
Joni Rautavuori from ABB Robotics addressed the topic of making industrial automation more flexible through 5G. In the factories of the future, 5G will enable maximum flexibility. Digitalization is already enabling systems to work together better and better. Intelligent production systems that communicate with each other autonomously will be the norm in the future. New, holistic business models
In his keynote speech, Gary Coombe, President, P&G Europe, addressed the extent to which 5G will potentially change our world. Mobile technologies in particular will permanently (re)shape almost every business model on the planet. It is important to seize the opportunities that this upheaval brings. In this context, Coombe spoke of seamless transitions between purchase actions, personalized marketing and a comprehensive brand experience, which can be realized via mobile services in the future.
These and many other ideas and visions were discussed during the keynote speeches as well as in panel discussions. It became clear that the 5G future, with its options that are still vague in parts but already spelled out in others, is currently keeping the global mobile communications industry and many related sectors such as robotics, automation, the energy industry and medical technology on tenterhooks and will lead to massive changes.
Further information on the topic of 5G can be found in the study 5G – Current developments, challenges and potential for access to municipal infrastructure recently published by aconium GmbH on behalf of Hessen Trade & Invest(HTAI).
Photo above: Visitors at the Global Mobile Broadband Forum 2017 in London.
Photo below: Presentation by Joni Rautavuori from ABB Robotics at the Global Mobile Broadband Forum 2017 in London.
Photo credits: aconium GmbH / Frank Kensy