世界经济论坛-5G展望系列：移动技术对新冠疫情响应的影响（英文）-2020.7-12页_13mb

5G Outlook Series: The Impact of Mobile Technology on the Response to COVID-19

Executive Summary

The global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly altered connectivity trends and the use of mobile technology. This paper explores how 5G technology is being leveraged to address these changes and outlines the future outlook for 5G deployment and adoption. The shift to remote work, remote education, and online socialization has highlighted the need for high-speed broadband and advanced connectivity. 5G is expected to enhance these use cases and enable new applications, especially as the demand for ubiquitous, high-bandwidth connectivity grows.

Connectivity Trends and Mobile Technology Use Cases Arising from COVID-19

The pandemic has led to the following key connectivity trends:

• Massive shift to remote working
• Replacement of classroom learning with remote schooling
• Substitution of in-person gatherings for online socialization
• Shifts in commerce and retail due to changes in consumer behavior
• Global public health crisis response

As a result, several mobile technology use cases have gained prominence:

• Remote work: 57% of US workers are working from home.
• Remote education: 41% of people globally lack reliable internet access.
• Online socialization: Online gaming has increased by 75% compared to pre-COVID levels.
• Commerce and retail: Online retail transactions have increased by 74% globally.
• Public health: Telemedicine urgent care visits have increased by 490%, and contact tracing is helping contain the virus in some countries.

Future outlook includes:

• Twitter employees working from home indefinitely
• California State University moving to remote learning
• Physical distancing measures continuing until mid-2021
• Gap accelerating automation in warehouses
• Medical delivery drones being tested in Holland, Switzerland, and the US

New Capabilities Enabled by 5G

5G offers several key functionalities that are critical for future applications:

• Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB): Provides faster connections and higher throughput (up to 10 Gbps), enabling applications like fixed wireless access, AR/VR training, cloud gaming, and remote surgery.
• Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communication (uRLLC): Enables real-time communication with latency as low as 1ms, essential for autonomous vehicles, health monitoring systems, and intelligent transportation.
• Massive Machine-Type Communications (mMTC): Supports a large number of connections, ideal for smart cities, IoT, and connected healthcare.
• Power Efficiency: Helps reduce costs and enable massive IoT and smart logistics.

The Outlook for 5G

3.1 The Effect of Industry and Economic Disruption on 5G Roll-outs

• 5G roll-outs are being affected by increased demand and disrupted supply chains, especially in developed countries.
• Europe and other regions have seen delays due to COVID-19 prevention measures.
• In the US, 5G roll-outs continue at a rapid pace due to competitive pressures.
• Developing countries are concerned about being left behind, but increased digital infrastructure is becoming a national priority.

3.2 A Path Forward: The Need for Collaboration Between Governments and Industry

• Collaboration is essential to ensure equal access to 5G and avoid increasing the digital divide.
• Government support can redirect market forces to accelerate 5G deployment and ensure broad access.
• Public-private partnerships are necessary to enhance 5G infrastructure investments in cities and support economic and social benefits.

What Does the Future Hold?

• Connectivity trends may persist even after the pandemic subsides, especially with increased mobility and changing work patterns.
• High-speed broadband is becoming increasingly important, particularly in cities and rural areas where remote healthcare, education, and retail services are in demand.
• In the near term, 5G can help address broadband gaps through fixed wireless access and enable safe working conditions in warehouses, manufacturing, and hospitals.
• Blanket 5G coverage will enable new direct-to-consumer use cases that are yet to be imagined.

Key Takeaways

• The pandemic has accelerated the need for 5G in various sectors such as healthcare, education, and retail.
• Collaboration between governments and industry is crucial to ensure equitable access and maximize benefits.
• 5G's advanced capabilities will support new applications and enhance existing ones, including telemedicine, remote work, and autonomous systems.
• Fixed wireless access and enterprise roll-outs are key in bridging the digital divide and supporting remote operations.

Contributors

This paper is the result of a collaborative effort involving the 5G Global Accelerator community and expert interviews and workshops. Key contributors include:

• Jay Cary, Vice-President of 5G Marketing & Development at AT&T
• Hoerim Choi, Manager at Korea Telecom
• John Mitchell, Vice-Dean and Engineering Professor at University College London
• Iyad Tarazi, CEO of Federated Wireless
• Je Myung Ryu, Senior Digital Development Specialist at World Bank

Endnotes

The paper references several studies and reports from World Economic Forum, PwC, and industry leaders, providing a comprehensive view of the current and future impact of 5G on connectivity and technology use.