The rapid adoption of AI is driving a surge in global data demand. Yet, 5G deployment has fallen short of industry expectations, pushing telecom operators to seek new revenue streams. At MWC 2025, the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) underscored that "Complete 5G" will be pivotal for mobile operators looking to redefine the market and increase revenue. However, the adoption of 5G standalone (5G SA) remains the decisive factor.
5G SA: unlocking a US$127 billion market opportunity
GSMA forecasts that by 2030, 5G SA will fuel a 70% surge in enterprise revenue, unlocking a US$127 billion market opportunity.
Despite the shift from 4G to 5G, most networks still depend on 4G core infrastructure, known as 5G non-standalone (5G NSA). Experts argue that to unlock 5G's full capabilities, operators must transition to standalone deployment.
By late 2024, 60 telecom operators worldwide had launched commercial 5G SA services, with Asia-Pacific leading the rollout, followed by Europe, according to GSMA.
Beyond speed: the business case for 5G SA
5G SA offers more than faster speeds. It incorporates cloud-native technologies and virtualized networks, creating a flexible architecture designed to meet enterprise demands.
With over 2 billion global 5G connections, GSMA projects that 5G will overtake 4G as the dominant mobile technology by 2028, reaching 50% of all connections by 2030. Operators that embrace 5G SA early will gain a competitive edge.
Transition challenges and strategic roadmap
Transitioning to 5G SA poses challenges, especially for operators still dependent on 4G LTE and 5G NSA. GSMA advises adopting a "dual-mode core" strategy to ease the shift while paving the way for full-scale deployment.
GSMA outlined five strategic recommendations:
1. Enterprise-first strategy: Operators must go beyond basic connectivity, addressing enterprise needs through B2B investments and tailored 5G solutions.
2. Industry partnerships: Collaborating with ecosystem players can drive end-to-end 5G-based enterprise solutions.
3. Industry partnerships: Collaborating with ecosystem players can drive end-to-end 5G-based enterprise solutions.
4. Regulatory advocacy: Telecoms should engage policymakers to streamline regulations and accelerate 5G SA adoption.
5. Internal transformation: Operators must modernize internal processes to navigate the shift to standalone 5G.
US$1 trillion economic impact of 5G, IoT, and AI
By 2030, GSMA estimates that the convergence of 5G, IoT, and AI will inject nearly US$1 trillion into the global economy, equating to 8.4% of global GDP. Manufacturing, hospitality, and public administration are expected to see the greatest benefits.
As 5G adoption accelerates, mobile operators that proactively invest in 5G SA and enterprise solutions will be best positioned to capitalize on this transformative shift.
Article edited by Jack Wu
