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5G: A new future for Mobile Network Operators, or not?

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  • Lehr, William
  • Queder, Fabian
  • Haucap, Justus

Abstract

The transition to 5G has the potential to significantly disrupt the competitive landscape for wireless services. For Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), 5G represents the next generation of cellular technology. However, the order-of-magnitude performance improvements targeted by 5G, its design philosophy that embraced a wider range of contributors than participated in the development of earlier generations of cellular technology, and by its focus on expanding the range of markets to be addressed by cellular technologies, 5G represents a paradigm shift. It is more of a tool-box of capabilities than a one-size-fits-all technology. This paper compares and contrasts 5G with earlier generations of cellular and related wireless technologies and examines how the economic forces that have shaped the MNO industry heretofore are changed with 5G. This examination highlights the potential for new business models and competition to disrupt the wireless industry in coming years.

Suggested Citation

  • Lehr, William & Queder, Fabian & Haucap, Justus, 2021. "5G: A new future for Mobile Network Operators, or not?," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(3).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:telpol:v:45:y:2021:i:3:s0308596120301762
    DOI: 10.1016/j.telpol.2020.102086
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    12. Matinmikko-Blue, Marja & Yrjölä, Seppo & Ahokangas, Petri & Hämmäinen, Heikki, 2021. "Analysis of 5G spectrum awarding decisions: How do different countries consider emerging local 5G networks?," 23rd ITS Biennial Conference, Online Conference / Gothenburg 2021. Digital societies and industrial transformations: Policies, markets, and technologies in a post-Covid world 238039, International Telecommunications Society (ITS).
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    17. Gooderham, Paul N. & Elter, Frank & Pedersen, Torben & Sandvik, Alexander Madsen, 2022. "The Digital Challenge for Multinational Mobile Network Operators. More marginalization or rejuvenation?," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 28(4).
    18. Rossi, Maria Alessandra, 2022. "The advent of 5G and the non-discrimination principle," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(4).
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    20. Laitsou, Eleni & Katsianis, Dimitris, 2021. "Comparative Techno-Economic Evaluation of 5G mobile network deployments in different scale urban areas," 23rd ITS Biennial Conference, Online Conference / Gothenburg 2021. Digital societies and industrial transformations: Policies, markets, and technologies in a post-Covid world 238034, International Telecommunications Society (ITS).
    21. Edward J. Oughton & Ashutosh Jha, 2021. "Supportive 5G Infrastructure Policies are Essential for Universal 6G: Assessment using an Open-source Techno-economic Simulation Model utilizing Remote Sensing," Papers 2102.08086, arXiv.org, revised Jun 2021.

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