Ericsson has published the findings of its 5G Readiness Survey 2017, revealing notable shifts in how the industry is preparing for next-generation networks. The survey shows a substantial increase in 5G trials, with 78% of respondents conducting trials in 2017 compared to just 32% in 2016. In addition, 28% of those surveyed expected to begin 5G deployments as early as 2018.
Operators are refining their business strategies for 5G and exploring new revenue opportunities beyond the traditional consumer market. The survey indicates a growing focus on enterprise customers and specialized industrial segments as key areas for 5G-based services.
Thomas Noren, Head of 5G Commercialisation at Ericsson, commented on the change in focus: “In the 2016 survey, 90% of respondents identified consumers as the primary target for 5G business planning. This year, priorities are split more evenly across three segments. Operators now see business potential not only with consumers but also with enterprises and industry-specific use cases.”
Respondents reported a perception that the consumer market is approaching saturation, which is shifting 5G planning toward other sectors. In 2017, planning was distributed among specialized industry segments (58%), business users (56%), and consumers (52%). This broader distribution reflects operator interest in monetizing 5G through diverse services and markets.
The survey highlighted the top industry sectors where respondents expect impactful 5G applications: media and entertainment, automotive, and public transport. Healthcare, energy, and utilities were also frequently cited as attractive areas for 5G innovation. Many participants emphasized the importance of the Internet of Things (IoT) as a key driver for 5G adoption and noted that collaboration with third-party partners will be essential to develop and scale solutions.
On the topic of 5G monetization, respondents identified several potential revenue streams. These include growing market share, migrating existing 4G subscribers to enhanced 5G plans, implementing higher pricing for advanced services, and expanding offerings into enterprise and industrial segments. Operators are therefore considering both consumer-facing and business-to-business models when planning their 5G commercial launches.
The survey sample included 50 executives from both business and technical functions, interviewed in July 2017. These professionals represented 37 operators worldwide that have publicly announced active work on 5G initiatives, providing a cross-section of industry perspectives on readiness and strategy.
What are your thoughts on the readiness of operators when it comes to 5G? Let us know in the comments.