5G technology represented a giant leap forward in terms of wireless connectivity and wirelessly transmitting a once unthinkable amount of data, even just twenty years ago! And all at speeds that didn’t even feature in best-case-scenario modelling when the old GSM mobile networks reigned supreme.

But the widespread rollout of 5G has required a significant amount of infrastructure, which, in turn, has meant considerable investments have been needed. So it’s a fair question to ask: how will the companies responsible for implementing 5G be able to recover part of their investments by monetising the technology?

Short-term 5G “commitments”

The main route through which companies can make a return on their investment is the effective use of 5G technology. It might seem obvious, but it’s definitely backed up by the data: despite the fact that European telecoms operators invest €50 billion in broadband and mobile development annually, according to data from the European 5G Observatory, adoption remains relatively poor, with just 15% of the world’s population using 5G in 2023, according to findings from Juniper Research.

That’s why it’s vital that as 5G technology becomes more widely available, people around the world make the switch and use it as part of their everyday technology habits. But that won’t be possible if there aren’t proper services, products and technological applications in place to really benefit from interacting with 5G, or technology that demands and really “squeezes” the latest generation wireless networks. It would be like using a Formula 1 car to deliver a takeaway… something that’s already done perfectly well and at a much lower cost using a bike…

Monetisation potential for businesses: automation and AI

If there’s one technology that can team up with 5G and provide a genuine incentive for companies to boost its use – and therefore encourage monetisation – it’s artificial intelligence. The development of AI models is going great guns at the moment and training AI models in remote processing and cloud contexts could tap into the potential of mobile wireless technology to deliver even greater demand.

Automation dynamics in countless professional sectors could also push businesses to opt for 5G as they continue in their quest to boost productivity without having to implement new connectivity infrastructure. The digital transformation of many industries is unavoidable nowadays thanks to automation, and the whole process will be much more “friendly” if transitions take place underpinned by high-performance connectivity networks operating at maximum capacity.

Sectors and companies that could benefit from 5G

Adopting 5G could bring immediate benefits in a variety of sectors and industries. And not just those closely related to communication and information technology, although those are obviously first in line. In the manufacturing industry, for example, 5G is behind the drive to adopt smart manufacturing and automation, whereas in the health sector, 5G makes it possible to apply highly-efficient remote medicine and remote surgery solutions.

The monetisation opportunities of 5G are most evident for consumers in the entertainment market, where the technology can offer improved user experience and high-definition video content, virtual reality, and even augmented reality. Digital entertainment companies, digital service providers and telecoms operators can all take advantage of these opportunities to sell their end users service packages that have an extra incentive thanks to 5G’s high quality, low latency and high performance characteristics.

Throw in the added bonus for companies to design, implement and benefit from technological solutions that require all the potential of mobile wireless connectivity – without wasting a drop – and the future looks very promising indeed, and certain to boost that figure of 15% of 5G users worldwide. While steps are already being taken when it comes to 6G, it’s essential we learn the lessons of how we got here to better understand 5G, and that we’re bold enough to demand – or create, if they don’t already exist – applications that truly demand mobile connectivity, so that 5G can really “show off” what it’s capable of and companies can begin to recover the sums they’ve invested.