There’s a difference of opinion when it comes to what’s driving 5G adoption. Over 25% of developers think mobile devices will lead the adoption of 5G, nearly double the number of executives, who see smart cities and the shift from the cloud to edge as bigger drivers than mobile. Respondents agree that mobile devices will be the first place that 5G data throughput will start to make a difference but beyond that, people are unsure where the use cases will show first.
Regardless, faster, low-latency, high-bandwidth 5G networks can connect anything, anywhere, with improved performance, efficiency, and cost. Remote surgery, autonomous vehicles tied into road infrastructures, new applications for streaming technologies—the sky’s the limit.
As 5G continues to evolve, Arm-powered solutions help more companies take advantage of its potential—from the compute infrastructure through to the network and device. The lightning-fast data speeds, super-low latencies, and more powerful and intelligent network services of 5G, unlock a new era with unbound potential for connected consumer devices and IoT.
Chris Bergey, SVP, General Manager, Client Line of Business
Mobile devices are the strongest driver for 5G technology, especially among software and hardware developers.
The smartphone is the crucible of 5G innovation, with developers benefiting from more reliable, higher performance network connectivity, alongside a scalable software development platform. This presents phenomenal opportunities for the ecosystem, with more immersive video, mobile gaming and xR experiences, and new innovative features and tech coming to the billions of 5G-ready smartphones
Thanks to 5G, new user experiences, such as augmented reality (AR), will significantly develop and advance, defining 5G innovation in the mobile space. Developers will then be able to translate their innovations to new markets with a common platform. Not just driving cool consumer trends and experiences, but also creating brand new business and economic opportunities.
Mohamed Awad, SVP and General Manager, Infrastructure Line of Business
The debate on 5G has changed. People are no longer asking “do I need 5G?” They are asking “where am I going to use it first?” Worldwide 5G connections are expected to pass 600 million this year with services available in over 84,000 locations.
Most of us will likely first experience 5G through mobile devices. Over 25% of hardware and software developers thought mobile devices would lead 5G adoption of in our survey. But take a look at the view from the executive suite. C-level execs and VPs said that smart cities and the shift from the cloud to the edge will be more prominent drivers. They also saw a strong opportunity in digital health. If you think of hardware and software developers mostly concerned with projects a year or less out, and VPs focusing on three to five years out, you can begin to see how 5G is an expanding opportunity.
We are also seeing growing interest in private 5G networks at factories and industrial sites, which are often populated with systems that have never been connected to networks. Private 5G equipment, software and services will be a $75 billion market by 2026, according to research firm, ABI Research. But, like the edge, it will take work. Cost, power consumption, compatibility, and security are all formidable challenges we need to overcome.
