According to the poll, over half of all mobile operators in the world are either deploying or developing a standalone 5G network. Almost all 5G operators now use non-standalone networks. However, standalone networks are on rise: 18% of network operators polled at the end of 2020 had deployed a standalone 5G core, with a further 29% planning to do so.

Erik Ekudden, CTO, Ericsson, says: “A commitment towards technology leadership and network quality is key to unlock CSP 5G revenue growth by enhancing the core consumer business while at the same time exploring new business opportunities. Not surprisingly, 5G Pacesetters seek new ways of challenging industry conventions to make 5G connectivity more relevant to people, business, and society.”

5G enabled more than 10,000 scenarios in more than 20 industries. In future, 5G capabilities will continue to evolve to incorporate fragmented connections in various industries, creating IoT space with hundreds of billions of connections.

She Loves Data, the global tech upskilling non-profit, launched its first Middle Eastern chapter in the UAE at the GITEX GLOBAL, aiming to empower women within the region to succeed.

“In just five years of commercial deployment, 5G has provided a considerable upgrade in mobile experience for consumers, and it’s already starting to empower different industries around the globe,” says Ken Hu.