The deployment of 5G networks has reached a crucial point: We now have spectrum assigned, rollouts are nearly complete, devices are 5G compatible, and 5G Standalone (SA) is gaining ground.
Uncertainty remains, however, regarding monetization. The telecommunications sector is still searching for innovative use cases that can justify the massive investment. Finding that definitive “killer” use case has not been easy.
We need to understand, however, that 5G isn’t about a single blockbuster application. Instead, it’s about enabling multiple opportunities in a dynamic ecosystem where technologies like OpenAPIs will play a key role in success.
Show Me the Use Case — Where’s the Killer App?
Historically, each new generation of networks has been driven by a killer app that fueled its adoption. 2G was driven by voice, while 3G and 4G saw data and mobile browsing become the catalysts.
But with 5G, the industry is learning there won’t be a single, all-encompassing app to justify the investment. Such a mindset no longer applies.
With 5G, we aren’t looking for an application that will endure for decades. Instead, we need a network that enables a flexible range of services that can evolve over time.
The Real 5G Use Case: Flexibility and OpenAPIs
The true value of 5G lies in its flexibility. What’s pivotal isn’t a killer app but an infrastructure that can capitalize on a continuous flow of opportunities.
This is where innovation driven by network OpenAPIs comes into play. These open interfaces allow operators to provide a technological foundation on which third parties can build and monetize their services, creating a far more dynamic and diversified ecosystem.
Recently, Ericsson, in collaboration with 12 leading global operators, launched a joint initiative to enable the commercialization of network OpenAPIs, further solidifying their role in shaping a dynamic 5G ecosystem. This collaboration aims to redefine the industry by creating open interfaces that allow third parties to develop, deploy, and monetize their services on 5G infrastructure.
By fostering interoperability and innovation, this initiative positions OpenAPIs as a critical enabler for unlocking the full potential of 5G, allowing businesses across industries to tailor solutions that maximize their 5G investments.
Network OpenAPIs enable businesses to develop specialized, customizable solutions tailored to specific needs across industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, smart ports, and logistics. The key is that this ecosystem of services can be monetized collectively, allowing 5G networks to capture value from multiple sources simultaneously.
5G: A Technology for the Enterprise World
5G is primarily designed for the enterprise world, in which each company has unique requirements and seeks differentiation in the market. This creates the scenario in which a single use case may not justify the investment.
Companies must therefore leverage 5G and OpenAPIs to deploy tailored solutions that meet their specific needs. A hospital, for example, will have entirely different latency and reliability requirements than a factory or a smart port.
It’s 5G’s ability to meet these demands that brings real value. The possibility of real innovation lies in the ability of 5G networks to adapt to the specific challenges of each business sector and to do so in a scalable, flexible manner.
This agility is central to monetization, as it allows for the creation of custom solutions in an ecosystem that’s constantly evolving.
Enabling Technology: The Challenge and the Opportunity
We need to keep in mind that 5G is an enabling technology. This sets it apart from previous network generations. Instead of being the direct star, its success depends on services and solutions that can take advantage of its capabilities.
Here, OpenAPIs play a fundamental role: They allow businesses to integrate with the network and create their own applications using the operator’s infrastructure as a platform. The success of enabling technologies will be directly proportional to how easy they are to implement and how well they connect with customer needs.
5G monetization will not rely on finding a killer app but rather on enabling an ecosystem in which multiple services can thrive simultaneously. Collaboration between operators and developers is critical to unlocking the value of 5G.
OpenAPIs enable precisely this. They open access to the infrastructure, allowing each industry to design and deploy its own solutions.
The Key to Monetization: A Shift in Mindset
Successfully monetizing 5G requires a shift in mindset on how networks are operated and monetized. It’s no longer about searching for a central application to justify the investment, but about creating a flexible architecture, supported by OpenAPIs, that enables companies to innovate and fully leverage 5G’s capabilities.
This change is already happening. Complementary technologies such as GenAI and edge computing are accelerating the transformation.
As organizations adapt to this mindset, they will identify and capitalize on real-time opportunities. At that point, the flexibility and service ecosystem enabled by OpenAPIs will unlock the true monetization potential of 5G.
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