According to Juniper Research study, revenue generated from 5G services will reach $600 billion by 2026, representing 77 per cent of global operator-billed revenue. It found that the adoption of 5G services across consumer and internet of things (IoT) sectors has been driven by a strong uptake of 5G-capable devices, coupled with attractive 5G subscription pricing models, despite the semiconductor crisis caused by the covid-19 pandemic.
The new study urges operators to leverage their 5G networks and high levels of virtualisation to develop new IP‑based services that generate additional revenue streams. It identified emerging 5G-based consumer devices, such as laptops and mobile routers, as a key area of focus for operators over the next few years.
The research anticipated that as geographical 5G coverage expands, operators will capitalise on revenue streams beyond smartphones. It recommends bundling multiple device subscriptions under a single recurring payment to enable operators to benefit from connectivity revenue from other consumer devices.
The report forecasts that the amount of cellular data generated will reach 2,900 exabytes (EB) by 2026, rising from 720 EB in 2021. This represents a growth of 300 per cent over the next five years. It predicts that this growth will be driven by an increasing demand for data over 5G connections and a substantial growth in cellular IoT devices.
Cellular IoT devices, including smart city devices, smart home sensors and connected agriculture, will grow substantially over the next five years. By 2026, the research predicts that the number of cellular IoT devices will reach 6 billion, exceeding the global number of smartphones for the first time.
Commenting on the report, Charles Bowman, research co-author, said, “Device vendors are capitalising on faster networks to add mobile connectivity to new consumer devices, and operators must respond by enabling users to access 5G across multiple devices under a single subscription, allowing subscribers to conveniently manage data.”
