Jola Cloud Solutions' Blog

All 4 major UK networks are well underway with their 5G rollouts. Three and EE are ahead in terms of numbers of cities compared with Vodafone and O2, however the reality is that most major cities now have 5G which accounts for over 50% of the population. The expectation being set by the operators is that it will take a further 5 years to reach 90% of the population. Achieving this will involve turning off the 3G networks to re-use that spectrum to support 5G.  The last 10% may well require technology or an approach that has not thus far been used in UK mobile networks such as using 5G satellite constellations to provide infill.

Opportunities for the channel

5G has opened many opportunities for the channel. The performance offered by 5G can be better than the performance offered by the fixed line broadband service available in many locations.  The channel are bound to have customers with poor broadband performance and 5G could well be the answer, especially when combined with a high performance 5G router and external antenna.

5G provides high performance Internet access in locations where there is no fixed line connectivity at all.  This means locations where solutions such as hosted voice, collaboration, IP CCTV could never have been supplied are now accessible for the first time.

5G requires new devices to take full advantage of the increased performance.  A fact often overlooked is that all the UK networks support LTE-Advanced or 4G+ with a much larger footprint than their 5G networks and yet the vast majority of 4G routers on the market today don’t take advantage of the extra performance.  In some cases a good quality LTE-Advanced or 5G router would provide up to 4 times the performance on 4G compared to using a device that doesn’t support LTE-Advanced.  In many cases where you’re deploying 4G in a fixed location we would recommend installing a 5G router because it will provide much better 4G performance and will be ready for 5G when the coverage reaches that location.

Jola launched our Device as a Service offering to solve a problem that has been caused by 5G. Good quality, high performance 5G devices are expensive, potentially three or four times the price of the equivalent 4G device. Our channel told us that this was an obstacle to 5G adoption. So now we offer all our devices on an OpEX model so that then channel partner and the customer don’t have any hefty upfront costs that might put them off taking advantage of 5G.

2G/3G Sunsetting

The 5G rollout is leading to the 3G networks being switched off over the next 3 years. This is a huge opportunity because there are millions of devices that are 3G only and don’t support 4G. This means that when the 3G network is switched off suddenly payment terminals, tablets, kiosks, digital signage displays and many more devices will just stop working! 

This means that you have the opportunity to generate revenue from the hardware swap-out but also this is a great time to speak to your customers about swapping out your customers mobile data SIMs.  Many organisation did deals years ago with MNOs (particularly the M2M / IoT divisions of the MNOs) that the channel could replace via an aggregator like Jola, saving your customers significant money and making a healthy margin at the same time.

5G in the future 

Today 5G is being delivered using the same frequencies as 4G and typically delivers average speeds of around 150Mb/s and over 500Mb/s in perfect conditions. However, to unlock the true potential of 5G and deliver multi gigabit ultra-low latency performance then the operators need to start using the spectrum in the millimetre-wave (26Ghz – 40Ghz) bands and this will require regulatory change and significantly higher investment.  When this happens I think 5G can really deliver on the promise of any application anywhere and it’s not inconceivable that fixed line access is no-longer essential for many businesses and use-cases.

The channel is well placed to help customers adopt new technologies such as 5G. Resellers will know which of their customers are in an area with 5G coverage and also what their requirements are. Many resellers may already be using 4G to solve their customers’ Internet access issues in areas with poorly performing fixed-line services, so 5G is a great opportunity to upsell to new 5G hardware and SIMs.

Is now the time to build offerings that use 5G services?

Now is definitely the time because there’s the opportunity to provide 5G-ready solutions. 5G routers also support LTE Advanced, which is already available in much more of the country than 5G. So by selling a 5G-ready SIM and router, the customer could enjoy a big performance boost even before 5G actually arrives. 

What is the appetite for 5G-ready devices?

In the mobile voice space, the latest handsets from all the main manufacturers are already 5G ready, so any handset replacement project is likely to have 5G readiness as a requirement. In the mobile router space, though, there are extremely few 5G options available although we expect that to change this year now that the major chipset and modem module manufacturers are now producing 5G components in volume.

Experts such as McKinsey suggest that 5G will have the most impact in four key areas: mobile broadband, IoT, mission-critical control and fixed wireless access.

Enhanced mobile broadband

Faster speed, lower latency and greater capacity could enable on-the-go, ultra-high-definition video, virtual reality, and other advanced applications.

Internet of Things

5G will unlock the potential of IoT by enabling more connections at once at extremely low power. This could create additional monthly revenues, but average IoT revenues will be a fraction of those for mobile broadband because of low usage.

Mission-critical control

As connected devices become increasingly central in applications that demand absolute reliability, such as medical devices and vehicle safety systems, latency will serve as a limiting factor. Because 5G has the potential to deliver significantly lower latency, it provides opportunities in healthcare, utilities, and other time-critical contexts.

Fixed wireless access

Fixed wireless access has existed for years, primarily in areas with no viable wired broadband. 5G is capable of delivering speeds of more than 1Gb/s to the home, making it a viable alternative to wired broadband in many markets, especially in markets without fibre.

According to the United Nations, 55% of the world’s population live in cities and they predict this will grow to 68% by 2050. County councils are investing in technology to help reduce pollution, reduce the cost of street lighting and increase traffic throughput. 5G is an enabling technology for IoT.

5G

5G is designed to be high data-rate and low-latency, which allows for the fast real-time transfer of data between two or more points.

Internet of Things (IoT) refers to smart, web-enabled devices that have more of a fixed functionality, than general purpose smartphones, tablets or computers. Examples of IoT devices include ANPR cameras, IP-CCTV cameras.

Connectivity will enable maintenance of the infrastructure and manufacturing systems, as well as flow control. Adjustment and fine tuning of operating parameters will respond to real time fluctuations in the environment and processes.

MSPs are turning to Jola for their 5G requirements when rolling out solutions for smart cities. Jola provides a wide range of cost-effective 5G and 4G data SIM packages which are managed and monitored in Mobile Manager to avoid bill shock from monthly data overage charges.

The channel is well-placed to help customers adopt new technologies such as 5G. Resellers will know which of their customers are in an area with 5G coverage and also what their requirements are. Many resellers may already be using 4G to address their customers’ Internet access issues in areas with poorly performing fixed-line services, so 5G is a great opportunity to upsell to new 5G hardware and SIMs.

Now is the time to build offerings that use 5G, as they present the opportunity to provide 5G-ready solutions. 5G routers also support LTE Advanced, which is already available in more areas in the country than 5G. So by selling a 5G-ready SIM and router, the customer could get a big performance boost even before 5G actually arrives. 

In the mobile voice space, the latest handsets from all the main manufacturers are already 5G-ready, so any handset replacement project would likely have 5G readiness as a requirement. In the mobile router space, though there are very few 5G options available, we expect that to change this year now that the major chipset and modem module manufacturers are now producing 5G components in volume.

Jola offers the widest range of mobile data SIMs from multiple suppliers, which are easy to order and manage via Mobile Manager.  

Mobile Manager

Mobile Manager is our online management portal for ordering and managing estates of SIMs. This white-label portal communicates in real time with mobile networks and can be used by both resellers and their end users. Mobile Manager handles SIM activations, ceases, suspensions, reports, alerts and bolt-ons.

5G offers solid, high-speed, connections, delivered same-day, with minimal provisioning and support overhead.

With every major carrier and a portfolio of channel-centric products, Jola enables resellers to retain control and differentiate. 30-day contracts and online usage management tools minimise the credit risk. When the MNOs launch a 5G wholesale product, Jola will be one of the first to offer it to the channel, through Mobile Manager.

Unlimited offerings

Mobile data costs have not reduced, so any unlimited product relies on assumptions about wastage, and traffic shaping. As a well-known company found out when they offered unlimited broadband, there is a danger that it only attracts very heavy users. If this happens, usage economics go out the window, the product becomes unusable, and either the price is increased or the product is withdrawn.

We advise our partners to sell bespoke solutions. End-users ordering unlimited retail offerings, may be paying too much for their mobile data. Resellers with access to mobile usage data can offer bespoke solutions to meet exact requirements and save the end-user money.

Resist selling consumer and business retail products

One thing is for certain, resellers do not want to start selling consumer retail products. These products are not designed for business use and end-users run the risk of traffic shaping and being cut-off by the carrier.

Business versions are available, but are not easy to re-sell, manage and on-ward bill. Also, some unlimited SIMs are locked to the router supplied.

EE

You may have read that EE launched the UK's first next-generation 5G mobile network, with a concert by Stormzy, live-streamed from a boat on the River Thames.

5G is promising to deliver a better mobile experience, delivering faster internet speeds and a more reliable data connection in busy places. EE is promoting a near-instant connection when opening apps and websites, playing games or connecting to smart home devices.5G is available on EE with 5G handsets in limited areas of Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, London and Manchester.

Vodafone

Vodafone is planning to switch on its 5G network for both consumers and direct business customers in seven cities across the UK in July 2019. Vodafone will also offer 5G roaming in the UK, Germany, Italy and Spain over the summer. Vodafone is pricing 5G the same as 4G and has four 5G smartphone models, with a home router due to launch shortly.

Three

Three announced that it will be switching on its 5G network in August. Three’s 5G network will initially be launched as a home broadband service in London, and then rolled out to the following places before the end of the year:

London, Birmingham, Bolton, Bradford, Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff, Coventry, Derby, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Hull, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, Manchester, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, Nottingham, Reading, Rotherham, Sheffield, Slough, Sunderland and Wolverhampton.

Experts like McKinsey are suggesting 5G will have the most impact in four key areas; mobile broadband, IoT, mission-critical control and fixed wireless access.

Enhanced mobile broadband

Faster speed, lower latency, and greater capacity could enable on-the-go, ultra-high-definition video, virtual reality, and other advanced applications.

Internet of Things

5G will unlock the potential of IoT by enabling more connections at once at very low power. This could create additional monthly revenues, but average IoT revenues will be a fraction of those for mobile broadband because of low usage.

Mission-critical control

As connected devices become increasingly central in applications that demand absolute reliability, like medical devices and vehicle safety systems, latency will serve as a limiting factor. Because 5G has the potential to deliver significantly lower latency, it opens the door to opportunities in healthcare, utilities, and other time-critical contexts.

Fixed wireless access

Fixed wireless access has existed for years, primarily in areas with no viable wired broadband. 5G is capable of delivering speeds of more than 1Gb/s to the home, making it a viable alternative to wired broadband in many markets, especially in markets without fibre.

According to a recent IDC survey, nearly 80% of Communications Providers expect 5G to generate more revenue opportunities. And 35% say they would be able to grow revenue by 5-10% within the first two years.

What are the likely opportunities?

European operators expect early 5G deployments to enhance existing services, such as unified communications as a service (UCaaS) and software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN).

There is an opportunity for Communications Providers to replace fixed line communications with mobile services. Once 5G is deployed it is predicted to make operational savings of over 10%.

Key sectors to target are healthcare, government and public sector services as well as automotive and manufacturing industries.

How important will choosing the right supplier be?

Choosing the right supplier will be critical to ensure Communications Providers win business in these sectors. Choose a partner who has a wide range of wholesale 5G services, managed within self-service portals, to retain control of 5G assets and monitor and manage data usage. Partners with experience delivering solutions to key vertical markets with a competitive 5G proposition will succeed.

GSMA published their latest mobile report at the MWC19 this week. According to the report, by the end of 2018, 5.1 billion people around the world subscribed to mobile services, accounting for 67% of the global population.

5G

The report described how 5G is now upon us, bringing with it the promise of a host of exciting new services. As the boundaries between mobile and the wider digital ecosystem continue to blur, and as data monetisation poses a continued challenge, many operators are moving beyond their traditional telco businesses to explore new opportunities in a fast-changing competitive landscape.

IoT

The report predicts that between 2018 and 2025, the number of global IoT connections will triple to 25 billion, while global IoT revenue will quadruple to £0.83 trillion. With connectivity becoming increasingly commoditised, mobile operators are looking to expand their role in the value chain – from providing essential tools and capabilities for ecosystem partners to build IoT solutions, to becoming end-to-end IoT solution providers themselves.

Devices

The report suggests that although smartphones will remain the focal point of the consumer internet economy, the range of connected devices (and therefore internet access channels) is greater than ever. In the most advanced countries, today’s digital consumers (using PCs and smartphones) will likely become tomorrow’s augmented customers, adopting emerging technologies such as AI (via smart speakers) and immersive reality.