5G technology has been hailed as an important engine leading the global technology wave, but it has encountered many difficulties and challenges in actual commercial use. On the consumer side, many issues such as high prices, network security, and personal privacy have led many users to have a wait-and-see mood. 5G commercial has not yet been fully popularized, 5.5G is here again, where does the future go?
▲Development trend To realize the commercial application of 5G to 5.5G technology, many technical and market challenges need to be overcome. Photo: Ning Ying
In the current consumer market, the promotion and application of 5G technology is undoubtedly a storm of technological revolution. Its far-reaching impact is not only limited to the field of science and technology, but also permeates every corner of life, making people full of expectations and curiosity about the future.
According to the data, as of the end of February, the number of 5G mobile phone users in mainland China has reached a staggering 851 million, which accounts for nearly half of the total number of mobile phone users. This is enough to prove that the popularization of 5G technology in the mainland is unstoppable. At the same time, the construction of 5G base stations is also in full swing, with a total of 3.509 million.
However, Ericsson's latest "Ericsson Mobile Market Report" shows that by the end of 2023, the proportion of 5G users in the global mobile user will be less than one-fifth. This makes people wonder why 5G is so rapidly popularized in the mainland, but it seems to lag behind in the world? Is it because the pace of development in the mainland is too fast, or is most countries in the world waiting for a more mature time?
What's more remarkable is that 5G commercial use has not yet been fully popularized, but the pace of 5.5G commercial use is quietly approaching. This undoubtedly brings more choices and doubts to consumers: is this a benefit of technological progress or a trap of consumerism?
For consumers, the popularization of 5G technology has undoubtedly brought unprecedented convenience. Features such as high speed, low latency, and large capacity bring the network experience to a whole new level. A variety of application scenarios, such as high-definition video streaming, cloud gaming, and VR/AR experiences, make people's lives more colorful. However, at the same time, the promotion of 5G technology is also accompanied by certain consumer pressures. In order to enjoy the convenience brought by 5G networks, consumers need to buy smart devices that support 5G networks and pay a higher 5G package fee. This undoubtedly brings a certain burden to some consumers with limited economic conditions.
In addition, the coverage of 5G networks is also a focus of consumer concern. Although the construction of 5G base stations in mainland China is in full swing, some areas, especially rural and remote areas, may not be able to enjoy 5G services. This uneven coverage exacerbates the digital divide, preventing some segments of the population from fully reaping the benefits of technological progress.
Therefore, for the development of 5G and its subsequent technologies, it is essential to have a deep understanding of the real experiences and needs of consumers. Only by truly standing in the perspective of consumers can we promote continuous technological progress and make 5G and its subsequent technologies truly benefit hundreds of millions of people.
5G Consumer Stories: Joys and Challenges
As 5G technology continues to mature and become popular, more and more consumers are entering a new era of high-speed and low-latency digitalization. 5G is not only changing the way people access information and entertainment, but is also playing an increasingly important role in work, education, and daily life. Through interviews with four 5G consumers, reporters from "Xiaokang" magazine and China's Xiaokang Network can see some of the problems and concerns they face while enjoying the convenience brought by 5G.
Li Ming (not his real name), a dynamic 25-year-old IT engineer, has become a big fan of 5G technology since he bought his first 5G phone. Digital entertainment occupies an important place in his life. The high speed of the 5G network allows him to immerse himself in a smooth 4K video stream, whether he is watching a TV series or watching the latest sports events, he can feel unprecedented clarity and realism. "Now, I can even put on a VR headset and feel like I'm in a movie, an experience that can't be compared in the 4G era," Xiao Li said. ”
In his spare time, Li often plays online games with his friends. The low latency of the 5G network makes the game more intense and realistic, and he no longer worries about network issues affecting the gaming experience. "The 5G network allows me to seamlessly connect with my friends and play together, even if we are in different cities, as if we were in the same room," he said. ”
However, this new world is not without its shadows. Xiao Li's mobile phone battery seems to have been used to consume quickly, and the originally abundant power is rapidly passing under the high-speed operation of 5G. He had to carry a power bank with him in case he needed it. In addition, the cost of the 5G package also made him feel a lot of financial pressure. As a young man who has just entered the workplace, Xiao Li's salary is not much, and the monthly 5G expenses account for a large part of his income. He often wonders if 5G packages could be as affordable and appealing as supermarket discounts.
Zhang Fangfang (not her real name), a 33-year-old freelancer, has changed dramatically with the arrival of 5G. As a graphic designer, she needs frequent video conferencing and real-time collaboration with clients. The low latency nature of the 5G network allows her to make high-definition video calls without any hassle, even when discussing complex design details, while maintaining smooth communication. "The 5G network makes me feel like there is no distance between me and my clients, and we can share and discuss design drafts in real time, which greatly improves my productivity," she said. ”
However, Zhang's journey to 5G has not been without its challenges. In the community where she lives, the 5G signal is like a child playing hide and seek, sometimes appearing and sometimes hiding. Whenever she was on an important video conference at home, the instability of the network made her feel extremely anxious. She hopes that operators will be able to deliver 5G signals to every corner as quickly and accurately as couriers in the city, so that freelancers like her can work from anywhere more smoothly.
Wang Xiangdong (not his real name), 68, has been retired for several years. His original life was like a cup of weak tea, calm and simple, every day was nothing more than watching TV, taking a walk, and occasionally getting together with a few old friends. However, since 5G technology has blown into his life like a spring breeze, his old age has added a touch of brightness, as if it has been rejuvenated.
Wang Xiangdong installed a smart speaker in his home, and the seemingly ordinary little black box has become his new favorite. With just one sentence, the appliances in the home are like soldiers who obey orders, and the lights, air conditioners, televisions, everything becomes so smart and obedient. He used to sit on the couch and say to the speaker for a while, "Ash, turn the lights on." After a while, he said, "Ash, turn on the air conditioner and adjust the temperature to 26 degrees." "Whenever I do, I feel like a magician, just waving my wand and letting everything in the house do its bidding.
However, the development of 5G technology has also made Wang Xiangdong a little worried. He found that his old friends around him were unfamiliar and intimidated by these emerging technologies. They looked at the smartphone in Lao Wang's hand, their eyes were full of doubts and uneasiness, as if they were looking at an unknown world. They pressed those buttons carefully, fearing that if they pressed the wrong one, they would get into trouble. Lao Wang looked at them and couldn't help but feel a little emotional.
He worries that with the rapid development of 5G technology, this difference will become more and more wide. Older people may be left behind by this era, and their world will become smaller and more closed. He doesn't want to see such a scene, and hopes that every elderly person can keep up with the pace of the times and enjoy the convenience brought by technology.
As a result, Wang Xiangdong began to take action and ran around, calling on the government and society to provide more educational resources and training courses to help the elderly better adapt to the 5G era. He said: "We elderly people are not a group to be eliminated by the times, we should be participants and enjoyers of this era." We need to learn new knowledge and skills to enrich our lives. He believes that in the days to come, the elderly will no longer be abandoned by the times.
In an ordinary middle school in Shandong Province, Chen Lili (pseudonym), a teacher, stood at the door of the classroom, listening to the laughter of the children outside the window, and her heart was full of infinite longing for the future of education. She herself is passionate about new technologies and is convinced of the potential of 5G in education. "Imagine how exciting it is for students to 'walk' into the scene of historical events through virtual reality headsets, or intuitively understand complex mathematical theorems with the help of 3D models!" Chen Lili's eyes flashed, and her tone revealed infinite expectations for 5G technology.
In Chen's classroom, 5G is not just a concept, but an upcoming change. She dreams of using the high speed and low latency of 5G to create a new learning environment for her students. In a world where distance education will no longer be plagued by network delays, students can interact with teachers and experts around the world in real time, broadening their horizons.
Reality is always more complex than dreams. Chen Lili is also well aware that the application of 5G in the field of education still faces many challenges. She believes that many educational resources and teaching tools have not yet taken full advantage of the advantages of 5G, which makes the potential of 5G in education not fully realized. "We need more cooperation, more innovation, and more investment," Chen said, "Education departments and operators can work together to promote the development and popularization of 5G educational resources, so that every classroom can enjoy the changes brought by 5G." ”
Chen Lili's expectations for 5G education go far beyond that. She also looks forward to 5G helping to personalize learning, analyzing students' learning habits and abilities through big data and tailoring learning plans for them. She believes that as 5G technology continues to mature, education will become more efficient, fairer, and more fun.
In Chen Lili's mind, 5G is not only a technological upgrade, but also affects the future of China's education, a future full of infinite possibilities. She will continue to explore and move forward on the road of education, and usher in a new era full of hope with the expectation of 5G technology and the deep love for children.
Top 10 consumer trends on the Internet
Ericsson released the "Top 10 Consumer Trends for 2030" report, which gives us a glimpse of the future with the support of technologies such as 5G, AI and machine learning. The report reveals 10 different roles that consumers expect connected robots to play in their daily lives over the next 10 years, like the script of a science fiction movie, and shows how advances in artificial intelligence and cellular communications will enable connected robots to communicate securely on the networks of the future. They'll customize healthy recipes for you, adjust comfortable positions, intelligently orchestrate TV shows that match your specific interests, and even your self-driving car will explain its driving decisions to you.
Ericsson recently released the latest edition of the Ericsson Consumer Lab Report, revealing the results of a survey on consumer perceptions of 5G fixed wireless access (FWA). According to the report, differentiated 5G connectivity presents unprecedented business opportunities for operators. In this competitive market, 20% of 5G smartphone users are looking for a differentiated 5G service experience for demanding applications, such as higher quality of service. These users are willing to pay up to 11% extra to their carriers for this to enjoy a more value-added connectivity experience.
The Ericsson Consumer Lab report highlights that with more and more contracted users around the world expressing higher satisfaction with 5G, operators have a promising future for 5G commercial applications. It was also noted that in key venues such as stadiums, entertainment venues, and airports, an undesirable 5G connectivity experience can triple the likelihood that users will switch carriers. This means that it is critical for operators to provide stable, high-quality 5G connectivity services.
This comprehensive study by Ericsson reflects the overall picture of around 1.5 billion consumers worldwide, including about 650 million 5G subscribers. As part of a series of studies that Ericsson has been tracking the evolution of the 5G consumer market since 2019, this report reveals that consumer expectations and needs for 5G are changing profoundly.
Jasmeet Singh Sethi, head of Ericsson Consumer Lab, said that about 37% of 5G consumers surveyed believe it is reasonable to pay higher fees to telecom operators for the increased data traffic included in their 5G packages. This shows consumers' recognition and expectation for 5G services.
"Interestingly, about one in five 5G smartphone users surveyed explicitly expressed a preference for differentiated connectivity service quality. Sethi further explained, "Unlike those who are satisfied with the general upper limit of 5G performance, these users are more actively seeking higher and more stable network performance, especially for demanding applications and specific critical locations." Studies have shown that operators are willing to pay an additional 11% if they are able to provide this service. ”
Sethi also noted that another clear indicator of 5G customer loyalty relates to consumers' connected experiences in busy locations and large event venues. "Obviously, a lot of 5G consumers expect 5G to add value to their experience in these areas, such as having a great night out at a major entertainment venue or airport. If they don't have a good experience in these places, there will be a three-fold higher chance of causing them to switch to other carriers that offer the best 5G experience. ”
Ericsson Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Erik Ekudden said the report confirms the huge potential that web APIs bring to developers. As a way for operators to deliver an enhanced network experience, consumers are willing to pay for it.
"In the 5G era, network APIs have become a business interface for developers and application providers, enabling them to access the network through a familiar and easy-to-use interface," he said. We've observed that consumers are willing to pay for new features and differentiated quality of service. ”
As technology continues to evolve, the future seems to be full of possibilities. For many people, using technology to protect us from unforeseen dangers in our lives has become a realistic and viable option. In Ericsson's report, a striking finding is that a whopping 75% of people believe that privacy-preserving bots will manage personal devices to reduce their digital footprint and deter electronic snooping. This prediction not only shows the growing concern about technological security, but also reveals the important role of privacy-preserving robots in the future of life.
The world of the future will be a world of intelligence, convenience and security. Connected robots will bring us more convenience and surprises, while differentiated 5G services will meet our expectations for high-quality network connectivity. In this new era of infinite possibilities, we will witness together how technology can change lives for the better.
Source: Xiaokang magazine, early May 2024
Author: Su Feng
Editor-in-charge: Descend Yunzhang
(This article is an original article by Xiaokang magazine.) If you need to reprint, please leave a message at the end of the article to apply and obtain authorization. Please indicate the source and author for reprinting, thank you!)