Research commissioned by World Wide Technology (WWT) has identified the top sectors attracting 5G investment, revealing where venture capital and other investors expect the greatest returns.
Investors are optimistic about 5G’s commercial potential. According to the survey underpinning the research, 92% of respondents are already investing in—or plan to invest in—companies that rely on 5G technologies.
The top five sectors drawing 5G investment, ranked by investor interest, are:
- Cloud computing (72% of respondents)
- Smart mobility (70%)
- Media and entertainment (56%)
- Gaming (44%)
- Augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) (42%)
Victor Holmin, Director of Discovery and Innovation at WWT, commented on the findings:
“Now is the time to invest in the foundational technologies of 5G. Our research shows strong investor enthusiasm for 5G, and these five sectors in particular are poised for significant growth. Each will require high-speed, secure infrastructure and substantial edge processing capability to succeed.”
Two other sectors that drew notable investor interest were supply chain technologies (33%) and healthcare solutions (24%).
Investors also expressed confidence in service providers as key suppliers of 5G connectivity and end-to-end solutions.
Holmin added that service providers should invest in core technologies such as edge computing and develop platforms that enable them to deliver the full promise of 5G through scalable services.
Overall sentiment on returns was positive: 76% of survey participants expect “above average” returns on their 5G investments within the next six to ten years.
Respondents’ funds plan to spend approximately $59 billion on 5G projects this year, with that figure projected to rise to $94 billion within five years.
Photo credit: Towfiqu Barbhuiya on Unsplash
Interested in learning more about 5G opportunities and industry perspectives? Events such as 5G Expo bring together technology leaders, vendors, and investors to explore real-world 5G use cases and business models.
For those tracking enterprise technology events and webinars, check event listings to find upcoming conferences and educational sessions focused on 5G and related technologies.