This year, 2023, is a moment that forces 5G to the next level. 5G has suffered from the impatience of both consumers and investors. It's time to make the abstract ideas of expanded connectivity and massive bandwidth tangible and tactile to end users.
Given the vast amounts spent on equipment, spectrum, and marketing, the impetus to fulfill the technology's promise is now serious business. How do we do this?
First, let's stop over-analyzing consumer and business segments for the fastest return. Instead, we need to address problems where 5G can provide at least part of the solution. Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) is one example. This application improves bandwidth and access for rural and suburban customers and provides faster and cheaper access for lower-income households in dense urban areas.
Second, let's stop hyping 5G innovation and deliver it — visibly. For example, one of the world's most significant issues is climate change, and 5G can provide better capabilities to track individuals, homes, and businesses in the path of floods, fires, and other threats. It can also provide real-time AI-enabled solutions to initiate responses to these disasters.
Finally, let's build viable collaboration among innovators, entrepreneurs, government agencies, network operators, and other stakeholders. The focus must be on using 5G to tackle the most prominent issues to enable society and businesses to work efficiently. This brain trust takes some of society's most significant pain points and uses 5G for at least part of the solution.
I recently read an article that college students should stop considering what major to pursue to maximize their earning potential. Instead, they need to start chasing global problems, take their passions and skills, and use them toward specific issues they want to help solve.
I believe the same applies to 5G network operators — focus on solving problems (the big ones), and the 5G revenues will follow.