Huawei mobile forum focuses on industry use cases for 5G
When it comes to the potential use cases for 5G, we are still only scratching the surface.
That was the message coming across loud and clear at the annual Global Mobile Broadband Forum (MBBF), hosted by Huawei and this year being held in Dubai.
While Huawei was showcasing its 5.5G – or 5G Advanced – technology with innovations such as 3D experiences without the need for glasses, talk at the two-day event was largely centred on how industries can best utilise the existing 5G technology that is still in its early stages, having only been introduced four years ago.
Huawei's Rotating Chairman Ken Hu and the Director General of GSMA, Mats Granryd, addressed the 1,000+ audience via video link.
“Technology is changing so fast, and new demands are evolving every day,” said Hu. “So our networks need to keep evolving too. Our industry as a whole needs to get ready for the future and maximise the value of investments in 5G – and that’s why we’re working so hard on 5G-Advanced.”
More than 260 5G networks have been deployed worldwide, covering nearly half of the world's population. 5G is the fastest-growing mobile technology, reaching one billion connections three years after launch – while it took 4G six years to reach the same landmark.
5G has also helped mobile communications networks expand into the vertical industry market, with more than 50,000 industrial 5G applications worldwide, and 10 million 5G connections in industrial settings.
5G will add US$1 trillion to global GDP by 2030
"Over the past four years, we've identified key scenarios for industrial applications, like remote control, video backhaul, machine vision, and positioning, where we can maximise the value of 5G," Hu continued. "We have also identified industries like mining, ports, and manufacturing where we can scale up 5G capabilities.”
Granryd commented that 5G is driving digital transformation across industries. He said that by 2030, 5G will add US$1 trillion to global GDP.
GSMA proposed the Open Gateway initiative as a way to support cross-industry innovation in 5G – a framework of common APIs that will allowing developers and cloud service providers to create new digital services.
"Now we have roughly 240 mobile operators signed up, representing more than 62% of the world's mobile subscribers,” said Granryd. “Open Gateway is a way for developers, hyperscalers, and others to more effectively use the capabilities of networks, and create common APIs that we can share across the whole operator community. It’s like what we did with roaming back in the 2G era, but for APIs. It’s very, very exciting.”
UAE carrier du unveils world-first 5.5G villa
Another highlight of the two-day event was the unveiling of the world’s first 5G Advanced demonstration villa, in collaboration with UAE telco du.
“From the beginning of the 5G era, Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) has been a transformative catalyst, empowering us to deliver cutting-edge solutions to our valued customers,” said Fahad Al Hassawi, the CEO of du.
“As pioneers, we at du are honoured to pave the way with such novel innovations.”
The 14th Global Mobile Broadband Forum is hosted by Huawei and backed by GSMA, GTI and the SAMENA Telecommunications Council.
