Event Theme

5G Inside

The next phase of 5G rollouts, Release 17 and beyond, will drive the evolution of 5G towards a more versatile, reliable and ubiquitous network. This advancement will support a broader range of applications, addressing the needs of various industries and user segments. 

This year, MWC will focus on the ROI from 5G networks through a combination of new revenue-generating services, cost reductions, strategic partnerships, regulation and spectrum management. By leveraging the unique capabilities of 5G, network operators can unlock a wide array of opportunities across various sectors – transforming not only their own business models but also the industries they serve. 

5G in the future

MWC Barcelona 2024’s conference programme saw thought leadership and discussion on IoT advancements, 6G, the transformation of industries, smart cities and networked infrastructure. Take a look at the highlights.

5G in numbers

  • 5.9B

    Globally, connections are expected to reach 1.9 billion by end of 2023, rising to 5.9 billion by end of 2027.¹

  • $2208.25B

    The global 5G services market is estimated to reach $2,208.25 billion by 2030.²

  • 20X

    Smartphones connected to 5G will reach download speeds of around 87.5 MB/s - about 20x faster than 4G.

  • 57%

    57% of enterprises plan to invest in 5G in the next one to three years.³

5G thought leadership from across the GSMA

¹Omdia
²Grand View Research, Inc.
³Reimagining Industry Futures Study 2023, EY