The GSMA APAC 5G Forum was launched at M360 Digital Societies Kuala Lumpur
5G is more than just a generational step; it represents a fundamental transformation of the role that mobile technology plays in society. As demand for continuous connectivity grows, 5G is an opportunity to create an agile, purpose-built network tailored to the different needs of citizens and the economy.
It is an opportunity for operators to move beyond connectivity and collaborate across sectors such as finance, transport, retail, and health to deliver new, rich services. It is an opportunity for industry, society, and individuals to advance their digital ambitions, with 5G a catalyst for innovation. Thanks to technology advances in many different fields, 5G networks will be at the center of an ecosystem that powers society’s continued digital transformation.
Deployment and commercial launch of 5G networks and services can be a major challenge for many operators given the uncertainties associated with identifying sustainable commercial business models, capital investment requirements, and the need for a holistic approach to creating and accommodating an ecosystem across verticals in the 5G era. In order to alleviate this uncertainty and to provide practical guidance for MNOs planning to deploy and commercialize 5G services, the GSMA APAC 5G Forum was launched during M360 Digital Societies in Kuala Lumpur.
The GSMA APAC 5G Forum will be an exclusive community of pioneering MNOs and governments investing in creating the vision for 5G and bringing the potential of 5G to transform society, industry and the way we communicate and interact with the world around us. The initial starting list of pioneering members for the launch of the APAC 5G Forum in Kuala Lumpur was KDDI, KT, LG Uplus, Ministry of Science and ICT, NTT DOCOMO, SK Telecom and Yes (YTL) Mobile. This list of Forum members is expected to grow to include additional pioneering MNOs and governments in 5G from the APAC region.
APAC 5G Forum will bring together a community of pioneering MNOs and governments in 5G to provide guidance and share best practices and experiences related to commercial deployment of 5G networks and services. It will work closely with its members and players across the ecosystem to help define the technologies, identify the spectrum bands and develop the business models and policy initiatives that will be critical for a commercially sustainable 5G ecosystem. Through industry collaboration, the APAC 5G Forum will aim to ensure that 5G is an evolutionary change with a revolutionary impact.