Widespread potential economic benefits of 5G are under threat as the space industry attempts to limit mobile use of airwaves, according to the GSMA. Its report 'Regional Spotlights: Impact of 5G mmWave' says releasing this capacity would create USD 565 billion of economic expansion, or 2.9 percent of global GDP growth by 2034. Its release needs the backing of the forthcoming WRC-19 meeting, it said.
The GSMA predicts a USD 5.2 billion boost to GDP in sub-Saharan Africa by 2034 from 5G, with USD 45 billion for South East Asia and USD 20.8 billion for Latin America. This economic growth hinges on the availability of access to a specific strand of radio waves, known as millimetre waves. This economically critical spectrum and the 5G services it will enable are under threat from a territorial dispute triggered by the space industry, said the GSMA.
The 5G mmWave spectrum will be allocated at the World Radiocommunication Conference 2019 (WRC-19) from 28 October to 22 November. The association said 3,000 delegates from over 190 nations will meet in Egypt to agree on how radiowave capacity will be used. Some in the space industry are determined to limit mobile use of airwaves that 5G requires to reach its full potential. This protectionist attitude is ringing alarm bells throughout the mobile communications world, said the association.
Brett Tarnutzer, head of spectrum at the GSMA, said "misinformation" and the "overly protectionist attitudes" must not be allowed to "derail the 5G revolution". He said over-stringent protection would limit the spectrum needed for 5G and have "huge consequences for society", putting the benefits on hold for a generation.
The GSMA report says releasing 5G mmWave could benefit energy production, transportation, professional services, mining and medical treatment. It says that without adequate support at WRC-19, the deployment of these essential 5G services could be delayed for up to a decade.
As well as the 'Regional Spotlights' report, the GSMA also referred to its report 'Study on Socio-Economic Benefits of 5G Services Provided in mmWave Bands'.
