Editor David Dungay will be reporting directly from the show in Barcelona but meanwhile Adrian Baschnonga, EY Lead Telecommunications Analyst, makes his predictions for the week ahead:
5G reality check"
“With large-scale rollouts expected from 2020, 5G is no longer a faraway vision. As we move into a period of substantial testing and trials worldwide, industry dialogue is shifting beyond the strategic vision for 5G and towards the operational realities.
“With the first wave of standardisation work now complete, new challenges are coming to the fore. Operators and vendors alike recognise that the nuts and bolts of network planning require attention if 5G is to hit the ground running in two years’ time.
“Business models remain a fluid talking point. Historically, 5G’s role in the internet of things has been top of mind, but with mobile tech featuring prominently at major sporting events, use cases that combine content and connectivity are now also moving into focus.”
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
“AI is a key talking point in the mobile industry and beyond. Operators will be keen to highlight a range of use cases, from network quality management through to customer experience and targeted marketing. AI functions may also start to figure more prominently in smartphone announcements.
“The pace of innovation is only increasing as AI comes ever closer to the end user, unlocking new types of interactions between customers and businesses. The potential for more personalised and frictionless experiences are vast, and we can expect plenty of news soon on AI applications across a range of industries.”