5G Advanced is poised to become a major catalyst for revenue growth in the telecom industry, enabling operators to offer highly differentiated services through enhanced capabilities such as network slicing, edge computing, and ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC). According to Magnus Ewerbring, Chief Technology Officer for Asia Pacific at Ericsson, these features present strong monetisation opportunities as networks evolve.
“Each new 3GPP release adds more advanced capabilities, making the network more versatile and expanding the operator’s service toolbox,” Ewerbring said in an interview. “Even current 5G Standalone networks already offer significant potential. 5G Advanced builds on that, taking it further.”
Realising Value Through Differentiated Services
Ewerbring noted that telecom operators are beginning to experiment with the 5G feature set to offer tailored services across sectors. Though still in the early stages, these developments are paving the way for new use cases and revenue streams.
“As more industries adopt 5G and early use cases mature, 5G Advanced will serve as a crucial platform for monetisation,” he added.
Network Slicing in Action
A standout feature of 5G advanced is the network slicing, which enables operators to create a virtual, isolated section of the network for specific use cases.
- In the United States, T-Mobile is taking advantage of network slicing to support body cameras, which ensures uninterrupted high-language video transmission, increasing public safety and accountability.
- In Singapore, Singtel introduced a consumer-oriented slices, which features increased cyber security, provides customers an additional layer of web traffic screening and digital security.
5G Market Outlook: A Trillion-Dollar Opportunity
Ericsson said the Asia-Pacific 5G market would generate more than USD 130 billion in revenue by 2030, while global 5G-related revenue is estimated to exceed USD 400 billion in the same period. Major drivers include low latency, extended IOT applications and customized connectivity services.
The Role of Satellite Integration
Commenting on satellite communications, Ewerbring confirmed that Ericsson is actively evaluating its approach to supporting operators as they explore satellite integration. “We’re assessing how best to support customer demand for satellite interaction. While the foundation remains a robust terrestrial network, satellite connectivity will be an important complement—especially in areas where terrestrial coverage is limited,” he explained.
He emphasized that satellite services can play an important role in reducing connectivity gaps, especially in remote or undertaking areas. However, how the condition of operators will develop the dynamics of the market itself and depend on the offerings from satellite providers.
“As the market matures and commercial models become clear, we probably make operators more definitive moves in this direction,” Evrabhing concluded.
