Thailand is expected to see more than 40% of total mobile subscribers use 5G services by 2025 while the ultra-fast cellular network will help deliver US$3.4 billion in enterprise revenue by 2030, according to Swedish telecom equipment giant Ericsson.
Meanwhile various kinds of 5G solutions, including holographic communication and smart agriculture technology through the metaverse, are being offered to the market.
"We are seeing 5G tech adoption gain more momentum," said Igor Maurell, head of Ericsson Thailand. "5G is becoming the dominant access technology with 40.8% of mobile users expected to have access to 5G by 2025."
There are 5 million 5G users in Thailand now and by the end of this year it is expected to reach 7 million.
Mobile operators in Thailand have invested in 5G network covering more than 95% of the population.
"In other countries, like Singapore, mobile operators give free 5G usage for six months to enable users to enjoy the 5G experience," said Mr Maurell.
He said 5G is expected to unlock $3.4 billion worth of enterprise opportunities by 2030, particularly in the manufacturing, automotive and healthcare sectors.
Policymakers should also allocate 3.5-gigahertz frequency for 5G usage as the band is commonly used for smart factories in Europe, he said.
Mr Maurell was speaking at the launch of "Imagine Live Thailand 2022", a three-day event showcasing 5G technology at Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit Hotel. The event brought Ericsson's technology shown at Mobile World Congress 2022 to Thailand.
The showcase includes holographic communication, which provides fully immersive, real-time 3D experiences that can be built with consumer-grade mobile devices over 5G.
Holographic communication is now at studio grade but by 2030, callers wearing glasses can engage in interaction with receivers seen as a holographic presence.
Rice farmland can be observed in the metaverse with data complied from Internet of Things devices.
"We are working on the demo of this with the Agriculture Ministry," said Mr Maurell.
According to Ericsson Research, advanced tech will enable a full internet of senses by 2025.
Half of the global smartphone users expect that by 2025 people will all be wearing lightweight, fashionable augmented reality glasses.
Also in the offing are wearables that can instantly translate, allow us to control our sound environment and experience smell, taste, textures and temperature digitally.
As consumers step further into this sensory digital world, they will require hyper-fast connectivity, imperceptible edge computing and advanced automation, he said.
"5G serves as a platform of innovation. By 2030, we will see life in the metaverse, internet of sense and intent-based-network automation," Mr Maurell.
