Service providers worldwide are actively exploring and experimenting with new offers and go-to-market models across several horizons, says Ericsson’s Antonio Passarella
Ericsson’s top man for Serbia and the Western Balkans explains that utilising the midband spectrum to handle increased capacity and throughput, along with 5G standalone for added functionality, will enhance network capabilities significantly. Here we discuss other important aspects of the adoption of a 5G network, advanced infrastructure, innovation, the experiences of other markets and more.
Given that Serbia has yet to adopt 5G technology, how crucial is it for the nation’s growth and development?
— While 4G networks have powered the app economy, a globally competitive Serbia needs more than just reliable consumer connectivity.
The country requires transformational connectivity that’s made possible by high-performance mobile networks that are widely available, open and programmable. This advanced infrastructure is vital for positioning Serbia as a leading hub of industrial and technological growth. Innovations in cloud computing, AI and quantum technology will all rely on such mobile networks in order to scale effectively.
In order for Serbia’s developers, innovators and industries to thrive, access to enhanced connectivity features – such as faster speeds, low-latency performance, differentiated Quality-of-Service (QoS) and high security – is essential. The foundation of this transformational connectivity is the rapid and widespread deployment of 5G. Utilising the mid-band spectrum to handle increased capacity and throughput, along with 5G standalone (SA) for added functionality, will improve network capabilities significantly. This will enable advanced applications like instant health monitoring, real-time control of industrial machinery, smart grids for renewable energy and connected autonomous mobility.
Serbia still hasn’t auctioned its 5G frequencies. How should regulators approach 5G spectrum allocation, considering the experiences of other markets?
— We would love to see governments and regulators prioritise coverage commitments from operators over the imposing of high fees for the 5G spectrum. Excessive spectrum costs can hinder the ability of operators to invest in expanding network coverage and enhancing performance, both of which are crucial for the successful rollout of 5G infrastructure.
Service providers worldwide are actively exploring and experimenting with new offers and go-to-market models across several horizons, says Ericsson’s Antonio Passarella
By shifting the focus to network development requirements, regulators can ensure the more efficient and widespread deployment of 5G.
How can operators make 5G profitable?
— We see several distinct business horizons emerging on the market as 5G becomes more widely available. Service providers worldwide are actively exploring and experimenting with new offers and go-to-market models across several horizons. The first phase of monetisation for 5G is enhanced mobile broadband and fixed wireless (FWA), while differentiated connectivity solutions also represent an emerging opportunity.
This could manifest as offering a private network to enterprises or utilising network slicing capabilities to offer a differentiated service to consumers or enterprises. Sectors like mining, airports and manufacturing seek pre-packaged 5G networks for easier deployment and an improved performance. Some even envisage future office networks relying entirely on public 5G for connectivity, regardless of location.
A major opportunity for monetisation lies in network APIs. These open interfaces allow developers to easily integrate 5G capabilities into new applications. For example, APIs can enable “Quality on Demand” for autonomous fleets or seamless video streaming for live events, enhancing user experiences. APIs also support secure authentication, fraud prevention and other advanced use cases across sectors like banking, logistics and manufacturing, opening up significant new revenue streams for operators.
