5G is a revolutionary technology. Not only is it changing the game throughout various industries, but it is also pushing the limits of what’s possible. From efficient and fast data transfer to real-time communication and coordination, 5G can be described as the 5th generation of connectivity and wireless technology.
When it comes to MVNOs and cellular networks, 5G is identified as the fastest adopted mobile technology. The introduction of 5G to the telecommunication world has made far-fetched ideas seem very plausible.
5G transfers data at unprecedented speeds to reduce the lag to a portion of what 4G used to offer. It’s a massive upgrade to everything 4G would offer. When understanding the true impact of 5G, we must remember that 5G is not just another cellular technology. It is kind of like an Omni device and Omni channel connectivity solution.
This is because this technology doesn’t just connect cellular devices. It can make connections between various electronic devices of different kinds and domains. Hence it can be regarded as something we haven’t quite seen the likes of before.
Based on this, there are expected to be newer and more out-of-the-box avenues that open with it. These new dimensions then change the way how an industry will continue the process of its evolution and growth.
Hence, with the revolutionary technology of 5G coming to smartphones, the MVNOs will have newer and better opportunities and find different avenues open.
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How MVNOs Will Benefit from 5G
The impact of 5G on the way MVNOs work is not a small one. We can confidently say that the 5G technology will revolutionize MVNO operations if it hasn’t already. This is because of the fact that 5G is unlike anything we have witnessed before. Behind the massive interest in 5G lies the value it delivers to every aspect of trends in technology, communication, and cooperation in a digital world.
The technology that 5G is based on gives new tools that MVNOs can use to create a new set of solutions to satisfy the different needs of businesses, consumers, and economies. These tools and technologies can be used by the MVNOs, and the one doing so before the others will ultimately be considered a first mover and will have all the advantages that come with the title. Hence, this is a massive opportunity for MVNOs to redefine and reclaim their piece of the pie in a market saturated with competition.
For the first time, 5G networks make it possible to serve several service classes, including mobile broadband, high-performance, low-latency services, and an exponentially growing number of IoT devices based on a single infrastructure. It is made possible by emerging technologies like network slicing and incredibly granular service control, which can target specific users, sessions, and devices.
This opens a wide range of possibilities for 5G MVNOs. To a greater extent than was previously feasible, MVNOs can specialise in a specific customer (consumer or business) segment with highly specialised, optimised service levels. Some of the new opportunities that are purely based on 5G and can benefit MVNOs bigtime include:
1. Network Slicing
For instance, slicing opens new service optimization and business models. Along with various B2B and IoT use cases, it also introduces a new dynamic for short-term, high-value subscriptions. But across all market categories, 5G has so much more to offer.
Slicing is where a shared network domain, or collection of shared network and computing resources, is layered with several virtual networks. The term “network slicing” is most frequently used in discussions of 5G networks because this capacity is required by 5G. In contrast, it was not and could not be supported by 4G and earlier generations of cellular communication services.
One of the fundamental aspects of 5G is network slicing. The provider network architecture is virtualized using the same concepts in developing slices. These principles include the radio access networks, underlying backhaul and carrier core networks, and related data centre resources that power 5G.
Service providers can design various network slice designs using slicing. Slicing gives consumers absolute guarantees about things like the minimum performance for their connections or the priority delivery of packets from devices or applications.
A 5G network operator can physically divide the traffic between various radio networks. This allows them to support different levels of spectrum efficiency, traffic capacity, and connection density, making connections from various devices possible simultaneously.
2. Fixed Wireless Access
FWA-based 5G wireless offers a great alternative to traditional fibre rollouts for difficult-to-reach places. In this market, MVNOs can act as suppliers, bringing customers who are consumers, businesses, or other types of customers exciting and practical offerings.
These offers might be expanded to include packages of services that boost productivity and go beyond high-speed connectivity. An MVNO for the remote worker, supported by FWA/LTE access, buttressed by secure communications, VPNs, collaboration tools, and network control to optimise business applications. This is because the world may not return to the office five days a week soon (if ever).
3. eSIMs
Embedded Subscriber Identity Model Technology (eSIMs) is becoming increasingly common and essential for users and operators. Over 40% of consumers would prefer to activate mobile services using eSIMs rather than visiting a store to activate a physical SIM card, according to research from the Capgemini Research Institute’s Telco Consumer Behaviour Survey
Although eSIMs continue to serve the same crucial function in 5G networks as earlier SIM cards, they offer greater flexibility. The device owners can switch carriers without having to change SIMs, which also lowers costs for the operators.
Interesting Read: Should You Get a 5G Enabled Phone?
What are Some Challenges Ahead for a 5G MVNO?
1. Infrastructure Challenges
The infrastructure challenge is a big one as 5G requires a few too many changes from the MVNOs. This is because the way 5G will integrate with their services and work is not the same as that of 3G or 4G. A lot needs to be updated to make 5G work at its full potential.
5G MVNO must create a cutting-edge new business model and infrastructure to fully capitalise on 5G and network slicing prospects. As a 5G MVNO, MVNOs would need to install their own virtual network functions. Moreover, they offer new applications and services to customers if they have access to a 5G network slice.
2. Mobile Phone Compatibility
Because 5G is still in its early stages, there are just a few costly 5G mobile handsets on the market. Most of the 5G-enabled handsets are very expensive, so not everyone can afford them.
5G handset sales (15–20 million units) are expected to account for only 1% of all smartphone sales in 2020, according to to Mobilise Global, with sales accelerating in 2021, the first year in which shops will sell more than 100 million 5G devices. The availability of comprehensive or relevant 5G network coverage anywhere to enable users is another issue that must be addressed.
3. MNO Dependency
It is common knowledge that 5G MVNO relies on MNOs. Access to cutting-edge technology is frequently delayed until the MNOs have introduced it.
For instance, Asda Mobile MVNO didn’t have access to 4G until five years after the UK’s initial LTE rollout. One of the issues with MVNOs and the rollout of 5G is that when certain capabilities become available, MNOs might not offer them.
MNOs must provide MVNOs access to 5G, or they will fall behind.
What to Expect in the Future?
Based on the current trends, we expect a steady rise in the demand, production and usage of 5G and 5G-related applications worldwide. Based on this rising demand, the MVNOs must move quickly and seize the opportunity before it vanishes.
In addition to seizing the 5G opportunity, the MVNOs must enhance their capabilities. This means they will need to invest a significant amount of investment into making themselves stable 5G providers.
As far as the applications are considered, 5G is a universe of endless innovation. Many applications other than those discussed above can grant an advantage to MVNOs they didn’t previously recognize.
In conclusion, the world of 5G MVNO is opening and is up for grabs. The 5G MVNOs need to be responsive in this acceptance and utilization of 5G. We all remember Talk Home, one of the UK’s most widely used MVNOs. This UK-based provider has already been making leaps in telecommunication and is now ready to offer 5G to its vast customer base in the UK.
Interesting. I feel like we are now in a position where we can face any challenges. 5 g is a great help for us as it makes life more easier and its going to bring revolution in medical science.