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 network slicing, which enables operators to create virtual, isolated segments of the network for specific use cases.
- In the United States, T-Mobile is leveraging network slicing to support police body cameras, ensuring uninterrupted high-definition video transmission—enhancing public safety and accountability.
- In Singapore, Singtel has introduced a consumer-oriented slice featuring enhanced cybersecurity, offering customers an added layer of web traffic screening and digital protection.
5G Market Outlook: A Trillion-Dollar Opportunity
Ericsson projects that the Asia-Pacific 5G market will generate over USD 130 billion in revenue by 2030, while global 5G-related revenues are forecast to surpass USD 400 billion in the same period. Key drivers include reduced latency, expanded IoT applications, and customised 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 could play a key role in bridging connectivity gaps, particularly in remote or underserved regions. However, how operators position themselves will depend on evolving market dynamics and offerings from satellite providers.
“As the market matures and commercial models become clearer, we’ll likely see operators make more definitive moves in this direction,” Ewerbring concluded.
