The Economics of Millimeter-wave (mmWave) 5G with GSMA Intelligence's Federico Agnoletto

On this episode of the Futurum Tech Podcast – Interview Series I am joined by Federico Agnoletto, Senior Economist at GSMA Intelligence. Federico is part of the analyst arm of GSMA, one of the largest trade unions in the world representing mobile operators. GSMA Intelligence provides data and insights on the mobile industry and the wider ecosystem  — a very important topic right now.

 

Our conversation covered a recent study GSMA did in partnership with Qualcomm about millimeter-wave 5G and the total cost of ownership over the next five years. It was a fascinating conversation and one you don't want to miss. 

 

Understanding Millimeter-wave (mmWave) 5G

 

My conversation with Federico also revolved around the following:

 

• The details of how and when mmWave 5G could be most cost effective

 

• An exploration into the connection between mmWave deployments and 5G success

 

• What operators are missing by going forward with 5G deployments but not mmWave

 

• Economic analysis of different deployment scenarios across a wide range of areas including rural, suburban, and urban

 

5G is booming. Teleco companies are building more infrastructure to support the expansion; device manufacturers are building more compatible devices for consumers. But mmWave deployments are still lagging behind 5G deployments. The good news? The study found that mmWave deployments can be cost-effective for all involved. I think it's only a matter of time before these deployments are seen worldwide.

 

If you'd like to learn more about the report, check out the breakdown from my colleague Olivier Blanchard here:

GSMA Intelligence Report: Mobile Operators may Still be Underestimating the ROI of 5G mmWave Deployments

 

Disclaimer: This show is for information and entertainment purposes only. While we will discuss publicly traded companies on this show, the contents of this show should not be taken as investment advice.