5G Advanced to unlock monetisation for telcos: Ericsson APAC CTO

Time of India

03-06-2025

NEW DELHI:
5G Advanced
is set to become a key driver of monetisation for
telecom operators
, with a strong focus on capabilities like
network slicing
,
edge computing
and ultra-reliable low-latency communications aiming to unlock new revenue opportunities, according to a senior
Ericsson
executive.
'Each new 3GPP release brings more advanced functionalities, making the network more powerful and expanding the operator's toolbox. Even with current
5G
Standalone deployments, there is already a rich set of capabilities available. 5G Advanced builds on that, offering even greater potential,' Magnus Ewerbring, CTO (Asia Pacific), Ericsson, told ETTelecom in an interview.
There are early but promising examples of how operators can use the 5G toolbox to launch differentiated services. As these use cases mature and more industries come on board, we expect to see new revenue streams emerge for telecom operators—making 5G Advanced a meaningful step toward monetisation, he said.
One of the key features is network slicing, which allows operators to tailor connectivity based on specific application or user needs. We are already seeing real-world applications of this, for example, T-Mobile in the US is enabling body cams used by police officers to transmit video with guaranteed high-quality service ensuring better safety for both officers and the public and providing reliable records of interactions.
Similarly, Singtel in Singapore has launched a consumer-focused network slice with enhanced cybersecurity features. Users on that slice get additional web traffic screening for improved protection while browsing, Ewerbring said.
The APAC 5G market is projected to exceed $130 billion in revenue by 2030, while global 5G-related revenues are expected to surpass $400 billion by 2030, with advanced features such as network slicing, reduced latency, and expanded IoT capabilities playing a key role.
When asked if Ericsson will play a significant role in the satellite sector moving forward, he said, 'Well, there are different parts to it. We will, of course, support our customers so they can offer the services they want to and that will likely include having the possibility to interact with satellite providers. We are evaluating what to do and how to support this standard in the best way, and we will always aim to be relevant for our customers with the solutions we have.'
Without commenting on any specific telecom operator, he said, generally speaking, the satellite segment is being actively explored by most operators — and rightly so.
'It's important for them to assess how they want to position themselves in relation to it (satellite communication services). For terrestrial operators, the foundation is always a strong terrestrial network. There will inevitably be areas where coverage is lacking and in those cases, satellite connectivity will be an interesting complementary option. Any move in that direction also depends on what is being offered by other players in the ecosystem. We will likely see clearer decisions emerge as the market matures and the commercial landscape becomes more defined,' the executive adds.