At MWC 2024, Huawei discussed how carriers can achieve 5G business success and how 5.5G can maximize the potential of networks and create new growth opportunities.

Huawei held the '5G Beyond Growth Summit' at MWC 2024 in Barcelona, Spain on the 26th.

“5G is on its way to business success,” said President Li Feng. “Since its commercialization in 2019, 5G has acquired 1.5 billion users worldwide in the past five years. “Compared to the nine years it took 4G to achieve the same results, this is a tremendous speed,” he said. “Currently, 20% of mobile subscribers worldwide use 5G, generating 30% of total mobile traffic and contributing 40% of mobile service revenues.”

He continued, “5.5G will be commercialized in earnest in 2024, and as 5.5G, AI, and the cloud converge, telecommunications companies will be able to leverage the potential of new applications and capabilities.”

“Global telecom operators must focus on high-quality networking, multi-dimensional monetization, new services, and generative AI to seize the opportunities brought by 5.5G,” said President Li Feng.

Huawei said, “Mobile users will continue to improve network quality, and traffic will increase significantly. Carriers can maximize the value of traffic,” adding, “More and more carriers are proposing strategic goals, including building high-quality 5G networks.”

For example, some carriers in the Middle East have successfully deployed 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) by building Massive MIMO networks and leveraging the optimal experience provided by these networks. 5G FWA has achieved approximately 3 million connections.

In addition, more than 20% of 5G carriers around the world are adopting a rate plan based on speed tiers. Recently, a Thai carrier launched an additional feature called '5G Boost Mode' that allows subscribers to select a speed tier according to their needs. It is explained that this has resulted in an average revenue per user (ARPU) increase of approximately 23%. A Chinese telecom operator has launched a guaranteed uplink package to provide live streamers with a smooth, high-quality streaming experience, which has resulted in an increase in the operator’s ARPU by more than 70%.

New services based on high-quality networks are being launched, including New Calling, such as virtual avatars, cloud phones, and glasses-free 3D. According to Huawei, users are willing to pay more for services that provide real-time experiences, such as one-stop car insurance claims.

In particular, 5G is being introduced to various industries, and its new capabilities, such as deterministic latency, precise positioning, and passive IoT, are expected to provide more opportunities for telecommunications companies in the B2B market.

Meanwhile, according to IDC, global AI mobile phone shipments are expected to reach 170 million units in 2024, accounting for 15% of total smartphone shipments. The next generation of AI mobile phones will have more powerful storage, display, and imaging capabilities, and the AIGC applications powered by them are expected to generate hundreds of billions of gigabytes (GB) of data, creating new opportunities for carriers.

President Li Feng expressed his ambition, saying, “Huawei will work with telecommunications companies to realize the potential of 5G and 5.5G and drive amazing new growth.”