Juniper Research has identified top 5 operators — NTT DOCOMO, SK Telecom, LG U+, KT Telecom and Softbank — as part of Juniper’s 5G Operator Positioning Index.
Juniper analysed over 50 leading global operators, based on criteria including the results of 5G testing and trials, the extent and range of partnerships in the 5G ecosystem and the level of technology innovation.
Leading operators including AT&T and China Mobile closely followed the top 5 players in the Positioning Index.
The research report said there will be 220 million 5G broadband connections by 2025. The main challenge for 5G operators will be to demonstrate tangible benefits, to enterprises and consumers, over existing fibre-based solutions.
With the first 5G networks launching in 2019, total 5G connections will scale to 1.5 billion by 2025, with initial growth driven by fixed wireless access to replace or complement current broadband connectivity.
Mobile operators in Japan and South Korea have established themselves as leaders in the 5G development. 43 percent of global 5G connections will be in Japan and South Korea, as part of the Asia region, in 2019.
“Mobile operators’ pricing strategies for 5G broadband must address both the anticipated large traffic generated, whilst remaining price competitive against incumbent broadband suppliers,” Research author Sam Barker said.
Operators have faced challenges both to deploy and most effectively configure 5G networks.
Mobile operators would need far greater access to sites to upgrade and share equipment to deploy dense small cell networks. The report said telecom operators must invest in virtualised networks to enable both more efficient traffic management and improve security in the network.
