MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines could see significant economic growth with the widespread adoption of 5G technology, according to a senior executive at Ericsson.
Andres Vicente, head of Ericsson Southeast Asia, Oceania and India, said in a recent interview that 5G infrastructure is crucial for accelerating the Philippines’ digital transformation.
“5G is an innovation platform for driving digital transformation of businesses and society,” Vicente said.
Ericsson’s research suggests a 10% increase in mobile broadband adoption can boost GDP growth by up to 0.8%.
The technology promises faster internet speeds and more reliable connections for consumers. For businesses, it could enable widespread use of artificial intelligence, cloud computing and Internet of Things devices.
Potential benefits include:
- Healthcare: Telemedicine could become more accessible and effective, bringing quality healthcare to remote areas.
- Education: Remote learning experiences could be enhanced with immersive, low-latency video streaming.
- Agriculture: Smart farming techniques could be implemented at scale, improving crop yields and resource management.
- Manufacturing: IoT sensors and AI-driven processes could revolutionize production lines, boosting efficiency and quality.
By 2030, over 40% of mobile subscriptions in the Philippines are expected to be on 5G networks.
However, implementing 5G across the Philippines’ challenging geography presents obstacles. Fixed Wireless Access technology could potentially bring high-speed internet to rural areas without extensive fiber optic installations.
Vicente emphasized the urgency of investing in 5G infrastructure. “The time to make investments in the 5G networks in Philippines is now,” he said.
Ericsson, which has been present in the Philippines for 36 years, says it’s committed to supporting the government’s digital agenda. The company currently powers 166 live 5G networks across five continents.
While 5G technology shows promise, its impact on economic growth remains to be seen. Successful implementation will require coordinated efforts from both public and private sectors.