GSMA: Global 5G deployment will slow down due to the epidemic

On November 16, the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) recently stated that although mobile operators are expected to invest US$1.1 trillion globally in the next five years, the new coronavirus epidemic has affected the promotion of the fifth-generation mobile communication technology (5G).

Mats Granryd, the organization's director-general, said 80% of the $1.1 trillion investment would be allocated to 5G network enablers, or companies that provide network infrastructure and related services.

The organization also revised its forecast, predicting that the total number of 5G connections in Asia-Pacific countries in 2020 will be 20% lower than previously expected.

The GSMA's "Asia Pacific Mobile Economy 2020" report shows that a total of 106 5G networks have been launched worldwide, of which 35 are fixed wireless network promotions. This number is driven by the need for additional operations due to the impact of the new crown pneumonia epidemic.

Granryd said that due to the impact of the epidemic, GSMA expects overall mobile access rates to decline in 2020 and 2021. In addition, factors such as discretionary income pressure, supply chain constraints and retail store closures will put pressure on the mobile industry.

He added: “To partially overcome this, future spectrum as well as spectrum policy must be prioritised and regulators must charge reasonable spectrum prices to mobile operators.”

As a new generation of mobile communication technology, 5G has the characteristics of large bandwidth, high speed, and low latency, and will build a new network foundation for the Internet of Everything. It is worth mentioning that compared with overseas, thanks to the effective control of the epidemic and the introduction of new infrastructure policies, the progress of 5G network construction in my country has not been delayed, and may even exceed expectations.