Can AI and 5G Transform the Future of the Mobile Industry?

Article Highlights
Off On

The mobile industry is on the cusp of a technological revolution as it continues to expand its infrastructure and adopt cutting-edge innovations. Mats Granryd, in his final keynote speech as the GSMA director-general at Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona 2025, discussed the substantial progress made in connecting nearly six billion people globally. As the sector evolves, new themes such as the pivotal role of 5G in driving transformation, integration of artificial intelligence (AI), advanced connectivity, and sustainability initiatives have emerged at the forefront of discussions.

Substantial Progress and Ongoing Challenges

Expanding Infrastructure and Technologies

One of the remarkable achievements highlighted by Granryd is the creation of an extensive infrastructure comprising six million towers and vast cable networks. This large-scale setup has enabled the industry to reach impressive milestones in global connectivity. However, despite the widespread adoption of 5G technology, there remain significant gaps and challenges. Presently, there are over two billion 5G connections worldwide, but only 61 out of more than 300 networks have successfully implemented 5G Standalone—a crucial step for maximizing the technology’s potential. The complete deployment of 5G is essential for the sector to explore new revenue models and leverage AI and Open Gateway APIs effectively for sustained growth.

The challenge of investment returns continues to be a pressing concern for the mobile industry. Granryd acknowledged the widening gap between capital expenditure and revenue, which poses a significant threat to the industry’s financial health. While digital lifestyles have seen exponential growth, mobile operators’ revenue has not kept pace proportionately. To address this issue, Granryd called for innovative solutions such as Open Gateway to utilize network APIs, unlocking new markets and driving profitability. Access to future spectrum is also essential to maintain ongoing investments in mobile networks and to ensure their continued evolution and improvement.

The Promise and Potential of AI

The integration of AI into the mobile industry presents a transformative opportunity. Research indicates that generative AI could contribute up to $100 billion annually to the sector, thanks to its vast potential for optimizing operations and enhancing user experiences. The mobile industry is uniquely positioned to benefit from AI, being rich with data that can be harnessed responsibly to drive innovation. However, significant sums have been spent on securing spectrum in the past decade, and inefficiencies in its allocation due to governmental pricing remain a concern. Addressing these inefficiencies is critical to fully realize AI’s potential within the industry.

In particular, Granryd emphasized the importance of responsible AI integration, ensuring that the technology is leveraged ethically and with consideration for privacy and security. By doing so, the sector can maximize the benefits of AI while safeguarding user interests. The emphasis on ethical AI integration is also reflective of the industry’s commitment to sustainability and long-term growth. As the mobile sector looks forward, the synergy between AI and 5G will be paramount in driving future advancements and achieving robust, sustainable development.

Addressing the Usage Gap

Bridging the Digital Divide

One of the critical issues highlighted by Granryd is the significant mobile usage gap. Despite 3.1 billion people being covered by mobile networks, they do not use mobile internet due to various barriers such as affordability, lack of digital skills, restricted content access, and safety concerns. Addressing these challenges is not just a technological necessity but also an economic imperative. By bridging this divide and enabling broader access to mobile internet, the industry could potentially add $3.5 trillion to the global GDP by 2030, highlighting the profound economic impact of digital inclusion.

Closing this usage gap requires a multifaceted approach, incorporating policies and collaborations across various stakeholders. Efforts to improve affordability, enhance digital education, and ensure safer online environments are pivotal in bringing more people online. Granryd underscored the importance of collaborative efforts between governments, mobile operators, and technology providers in driving this agenda forward. By creating an inclusive digital ecosystem, the mobile industry can unlock significant socio-economic benefits and foster sustainable, inclusive growth.

The Future Direction and Leadership

The mobile industry stands at the brink of a revolutionary era, continuing to expand its infrastructure and embrace the latest technological advancements. In his final keynote address at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona 2025, Mats Granryd, outgoing GSMA director-general, highlighted the remarkable strides made in globally connecting nearly six billion individuals. As the industry advances, vibrant new themes have surfaced, becoming focal points in discussions. These include the crucial role of 5G technology in fostering transformation, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), the enhancement of connectivity, and the growing emphasis on sustainability initiatives. These innovations are not only reshaping the industry but also promising to change the way we interact with technology on a daily basis. The importance of these developments lies in their potential to enhance global communication, improve efficiency, and contribute to a more sustainable future in the tech world.

Explore more

Can Stablecoins Balance Privacy and Crime Prevention?

The emergence of stablecoins in the cryptocurrency landscape has introduced a crucial dilemma between safeguarding user privacy and mitigating financial crime. Recent incidents involving Tether’s ability to freeze funds linked to illicit activities underscore the tension between these objectives. Amid these complexities, stablecoins continue to attract attention as both reliable transactional instruments and potential tools for crime prevention, prompting a

AI-Driven Payment Routing – Review

In a world where every business transaction relies heavily on speed and accuracy, AI-driven payment routing emerges as a groundbreaking solution. Designed to amplify global payment authorization rates, this technology optimizes transaction conversions and minimizes costs, catalyzing new dynamics in digital finance. By harnessing the prowess of artificial intelligence, the model leverages advanced analytics to choose the best acquirer paths,

How Are AI Agents Revolutionizing SME Finance Solutions?

Can AI agents reshape the financial landscape for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in such a short time that it seems almost overnight? Recent advancements suggest this is not just a possibility but a burgeoning reality. According to the latest reports, AI adoption in financial services has increased by 60% in recent years, highlighting a rapid transformation. Imagine an SME

Trend Analysis: Artificial Emotional Intelligence in CX

In the rapidly evolving landscape of customer engagement, one of the most groundbreaking innovations is artificial emotional intelligence (AEI), a subset of artificial intelligence (AI) designed to perceive and engage with human emotions. As businesses strive to deliver highly personalized and emotionally resonant experiences, the adoption of AEI transforms the customer service landscape, offering new opportunities for connection and differentiation.

Will Telemetry Data Boost Windows 11 Performance?

The Telemetry Question: Could It Be the Answer to PC Performance Woes? If your Windows 11 has left you questioning its performance, you’re not alone. Many users are somewhat disappointed by computers not performing as expected, leading to frustrations that linger even after upgrading from Windows 10. One proposed solution is Microsoft’s initiative to leverage telemetry data, an approach that