Want To Drive 5G Growth? Get Locals On Board

Innovation Want To Drive 5G Growth? Get Locals On Board Dario Di Bella Brand Contributor ServiceNow BRANDVOICE Storytelling and expertise from marketers | Paid Program Kasper Ovesen Brand Contributor ServiceNow BRANDVOICE Storytelling and expertise from marketers | Paid Program Jun 22, 2022, 03:00pm EDT | Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin 5G can unlock untold innovation—if CSPs can get buy-in from regional stakeholders. As demand for smarter devices and bandwidth rises, the telecom sector is taking on the expensive and high stakes work of upgrading existing infrastructure and building new networks in anticipation of 5G. The transition to 5G will only happen when you get regional partners on board.

getty Here’s what communications service providers (CSPs) should consider as they seek to push the limits of how fast data can move—in a way that’s profitable. Spell out the business case CSPs are under pressure to demonstrate that 5G is worth the heavy investment. Yet many organizations are still determining the most valuable use cases for 5G.

So predicting the ROI of these costly network buildouts is complicated. And 5G network deployments aren’t a simple process. The shift to 5G’s smaller, denser components is a stark departure from the widely spaced cell towers of previous generations.

These networks have shorter reach, and will need to carry more data faster over shorter distances. Network installation requires cooperation with more zoning entities across local and regional governments. And because of their unique designs, 5G networks will require visibility over larger geographic areas.

So strategic identification of feasible use cases is key. Local strategies are key Many of the touted 5G use cases solve problems that exist locally or regionally, such as the need for better connectivity on commuter trains and subways; location-based services for smart cities, ports, and transportation solutions; or even when to power different streetlights. A necessary first step to developing strategies will be understanding data and variables at a very local level, beginning with mapping existing infrastructure and understanding current capabilities and capacities.

From there, CSPs can best understand where to upgrade infrastructure first, how to offer 5G access to different geographies, and what their future revenue potential is. Customer demand is informed by the geographic, economic, and civic realities at the local level, so being informed at the local level is a big differentiator. It’s also important to understand the value of 5G for a given location.

What are the needs of the area? Which use cases will generate the revenue necessary to recover the costs of the buildout? Customer demand is informed by the geographic, economic, and civic realities at the local level, so being informed at the local level is a big differentiator. A more connected way of life Consumer data and connectivity demands only continue to grow —and use cases only become more complex. For example, autonomous cars—one of the most highly touted 5G applications—requires an immense amount of data along with a nearly fail-proof connection so that vehicles can communicate with one another and maintain public safety.

The desire to make these innovative solutions a reality is clear. And many of these new possibilities require the low-latency or even real-time communication that’s promised by 5G networks. With that in mind, CSPs must connect the dots between what local customers want and how to upgrade and deploy 5G networks faster.

To make 5G a reality for local customers, companies like ServiceNow and Accenture are partnering to digitize network deployments with a strategic, efficient, and accurate buildout process . The takeaway? When the local benefits are shown and local needs are known, CSPs can pave the way for a faster, easier transition to 5G. Dario Di Bella Kasper Ovesen Editorial Standards Print Reprints & Permissions.