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5G: A new future for Mobile Network Operators, or not?

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  • Lehr, William
  • Queder, Fabian
  • Haucap, Justus

Abstract

The transition to 5G has the potential to significantly disrupt the competitive landscape for wireless services. For Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), 5G represents the next generation of cellular technology. However, the order-of-magnitude performance improvements targeted by 5G, its design philosophy that embraced a wider range of contributors than participated in the development of earlier generations of cellular technology, and by its focus on expanding the range of markets to be addressed by cellular technologies, 5G represents a paradigm shift. It is more of a tool-box of capabilities than a one-size-fits-all technology. This paper compares and contrasts 5G with earlier generations of cellular and related wireless technologies and examines how the economic forces that have shaped the MNO industry heretofore are changed with 5G. This examination highlights the potential for new business models and competition to disrupt the wireless industry in coming years.

Suggested Citation

  • Lehr, William & Queder, Fabian & Haucap, Justus, 2021. "5G: A new future for Mobile Network Operators, or not?," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(3).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:telpol:v:45:y:2021:i:3:s0308596120301762
    DOI: 10.1016/j.telpol.2020.102086
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    4. Edward J. Oughton & Tom Russell & Jeongjin Oh & Sara Ballan & Jim W. Hall, 2023. "Global Vulnerability Assessment of Mobile Telecommunications Infrastructure to Climate Hazards using Crowdsourced Open Data," Papers 2311.04392, arXiv.org.
    5. Frias, Zoraida & Lehr, William & Stocker, Volker & Mendo, Luis, 2023. "Measuring Mobile Broadband Challenges and Implications for Policymaking," 32nd European Regional ITS Conference, Madrid 2023: Realising the digital decade in the European Union – Easier said than done? 277959, International Telecommunications Society (ITS).
    6. Blind, Knut & Niebel, Crispin, 2022. "5G roll-out failures addressed by innovation policies in the EU," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 180(C).
    7. Preetjot Kaur & Roopali Garg & Vinay Kukreja, 2023. "Energy-efficiency schemes for base stations in 5G heterogeneous networks: a systematic literature review," Telecommunication Systems: Modelling, Analysis, Design and Management, Springer, vol. 84(1), pages 115-151, September.
    8. Wei-Min Cheng & Sheng-Ming Wang, 2021. "Research on the General Algorithm and Benefit of Real-Time Positioning Advertising System—Based on the Use of 5G Base Station Data," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-23, July.
    9. Matinmikko-Blue, Marja & Yrjölä, Seppo & Ahokangas, Petri & Hämmäinen, Heikki, 2021. "Analysis of 5G spectrum awarding decisions: How do different countries consider emerging local 5G networks?," 23rd ITS Biennial Conference, Online Conference / Gothenburg 2021. Digital societies and industrial transformations: Policies, markets, and technologies in a post-Covid world 238039, International Telecommunications Society (ITS).
    10. Benseny, Jaume & Lahteenmaki, Jarno & Toyli, Juuso & Hammainen, Heikki, 2023. "Urban wireless traffic evolution: The role of new devices and the effect of policy," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(7).
    11. Mendonça, Sandro & Damásio, Bruno & Charlita de Freitas, Luciano & Oliveira, Luís & Cichy, Marcin & Nicita, António, 2022. "The rise of 5G technologies and systems: A quantitative analysis of knowledge production," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(4).
    12. Bauer, Johannes M. & Bohlin, Erik, 2022. "Regulation and innovation in 5G markets," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(4).
    13. Knieps, Günter & Bauer, Johannes M., 2022. "Internet of things and the economics of 5G-based local industrial networks," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(4).
    14. Gooderham, Paul N. & Elter, Frank & Pedersen, Torben & Sandvik, Alexander Madsen, 2022. "The Digital Challenge for Multinational Mobile Network Operators. More marginalization or rejuvenation?," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 28(4).
    15. Rossi, Maria Alessandra, 2022. "The advent of 5G and the non-discrimination principle," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(4).
    16. Choe, Hyoung-Seon & Yang, Chang-Gyu & Jun, Sung-Youl & Lee, Sang-Gun, 2023. "A study on forward and backward linkage effects in South Korea's telecom industry across generations," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(8).
    17. Laitsou, Eleni & Katsianis, Dimitris, 2021. "Comparative Techno-Economic Evaluation of 5G mobile network deployments in different scale urban areas," 23rd ITS Biennial Conference, Online Conference / Gothenburg 2021. Digital societies and industrial transformations: Policies, markets, and technologies in a post-Covid world 238034, International Telecommunications Society (ITS).
    18. Edward J. Oughton & Ashutosh Jha, 2021. "Supportive 5G Infrastructure Policies are Essential for Universal 6G: Assessment using an Open-source Techno-economic Simulation Model utilizing Remote Sensing," Papers 2102.08086, arXiv.org, revised Jun 2021.

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