Page 6 - EngineerIT November 2022

ICT 5G

Ericsson’s largest consumer study

shows 5G is already paving the

path to the metaverse

• Ericsson ConsumerLab’s 5G: The Next More than 49 000 consumers in 37
Wave report is the largest consumer 5G countries were interviewed in the research
research to date. – the largest global 5G-related consumer
• Compared to 4G users, 5G users spend survey in the industry to date and the largest
an average of one hour per week more consumer survey conducted by Ericsson on
on metaverse-related services such as any topic. The survey scope is representative
gaming in virtual worlds and augmented of the opinions of about 1.7 billion
reality (AR). consumers worldwide, including 430 million
• Half of 5G consumers who already use 5G subscribers.
extended-reality (XR) related services Jasmeet Singh Sethi, head of Ericsson
believe AR apps will move from ConsumerLab, says: “The scale of the
smartphones to XR headsets within two research gives us an authentic insight into
years. consumers’ views and attitudes to 5G. The
report shows that the next wave of potential
As 5G uptake in many parts of the world 5G users have different expectations from
bridges the milestone from early adopters to the technology compared to early adopters. Jasmeet Singh Sethi
mass adoption, major new Ericsson (NASDAQ: Overall, consumers see engaging with 5G as
ERIC) research – the industry’s largest an essential part of their future lifestyles.” especially network coverage, compared
global study of its kind to date – underlines He adds: “It is interesting to note that to early adopters – who care about new
consumers’ growing commitment to 5G and 5G is emerging as an important enabler innovative services enabled by 5G.
their expectations on next generation uses for early adopters to embrace metaverse- 3. Perceived 5G availability is emerging
cases. related services such as socialising, playing as the new satisfaction benchmark
Called 5G: The Next Wave, the Ericsson and buying digital items in interactive 3D among consumers. Geographical
ConsumerLab report addresses the impact virtual gaming platforms. The amount of time coverage, indoor/outdoor coverage, and
5G has had on early adopter consumers since spent on augmented reality apps by 5G users congregation hot-spot coverage are more
launching in various countries, as well as has also doubled over the past two years, important to building a user perception
gauging the intention of non-5G subscribers compared to 4G users.” than population coverage.
to take up the technology – and their related The report forecasts that 5G consumers 4. 5G is pushing up usage of enhanced
expectations. The report forecasts that at least with experience of using extended reality video and augmented reality. Over the
30 percent of smartphone users intend to take (XR) functionality are likely to be the first to past two years, time spent on AR apps by
up a 5G subscription within the next year. embrace future devices as they are more 5G users has doubled to two hours per
The mix of Ericsson tracking data positive about the potential of mixed- week.
covering 5G launches since 2019, and the reality glasses. Half of 5G users who already 5. 5G monetisation models are expected
new consumer survey, has enabled Ericsson use XR-related services weekly think that to evolve: Six in ten consumers expect
ConsumerLab to identify six key trends AR apps will move from smartphones to 5G offerings to move beyond more
impacting the next wave of 5G adoption. XR headsets within the next two years, data volume and speeds to on-demand
The report covers the behavioral compared to one-third of 4G consumers tailored network capabilities for specific
changes triggered by the bundling of digital who hold this view. needs.
services into 5G plans by communications 6. 5G adoption is setting the path to the
service providers – particularly the increased 5G – The Next Wave Report: metaverse. 5G users on average are
use of enhanced video and augmented Six key trends already spending one hour more per
reality (AR) apps. 1. 5G adoption to be inflation resilient: At week in metaverse-related services
The report also addresses the speed of least 510 million consumers across 37 than 4G users. It is expected that two
mainstream 5G adoption, whether consumer markets are likely to take up 5G in 2023. more hours of more video content
demands are being met, and 5G-related 2. The demanding next wave of users: will be consumed weekly on mobile
changes in smartphone behaviour - and their The next wave of 5G users have high devices, 1.5 hours of which will be on
impact on network traffic. expectations on 5G performance, AR/VR glasses by 2025. n

EngineerIT | November 2022 | 6