As standardization continues, major telecommunications network infrastructure vendors–primarily Ericsson, Nokia, Huawei, ZTE and Samsung along with their suppliers–are racing to not only help guide the standards-setting process, but to develop a 5G portfolio that will enable operator customers to quickly launch and monetize the next generation service.
To get a better understanding of how vendors are working with global service providers to set the stage, consider how Swedish firm Ericsson is aggressively approaching the emerging market. The company, which last year got rid of then-CEO Hans Vestberg, predicts 5G will ultimately have a $1 trillion-plus economic impact; in the U.S. alone, Ericsson research suggests “telecom operators who address industry digitalization” could realize potential revenue of $582 billion by 2026 with the manufacturing and energy/utilities industries representing “the biggest opportunity for revenues created or enhanced by 5G.”
