5G infrastructure is seen accelerating the digitalization of the Philippines and ensuring its sustainable economic growth, according to Andres Vicente, head of Ericsson Southeast Asia, Oceania and India.

“5G is an innovation platform for driving digital transformation of businesses and society. Ericsson research shows that on average, a 10 percent increase in mobile broadband adoption can increase economic growth (GDP) by up to 0.8 percent,” said Vicente at the inaugural session of Ericsson Imagine Live roadshow in the Philippines, showcasing Ericsson’s advanced technology solutions.

Vicente said Ericsson is looking forward to partnering with the government on its digitalization initiatives and towards building a strong digital infrastructure for the country through 5G.

5G allows technologies such as AI, Cloud to be leveraged at scale on top of the secure, reliable, and always available 5G networks, thereby opening new possibilities for consumers and enterprises. 

Digital transformation is providing extensive opportunities for creating new value, gaining competitive advantage, and enabling cost savings for enterprises. For consumers, 5G would lead to more immersive experiences, faster download speeds, smoother video streaming, and more responsive gaming. Better connectivity also translates to better healthcare through telemedicine, improved education through remote learning and better quality of life. 

“More affordable 5G smartphones, a maturing 5G ecosystem, coupled with accelerated 5G deployments will serve to boost 5G adoption in Philippines. Investments in 5G deployments will not only enhance 5G coverage but will also lead to better quality of service for consumers,” said Daniel Ode, head of Ericsson Singapore, Philippines and Brunei. With more investments being made on 5G, over 40 percent of the total mobile subscriptions in Philippines are expected to be on 5G by 2030. 

In Philippines, 5G subscriptions currently stand at around 9 percent of the total mobile subscriptions. 

Ericsson also sees   is a strong potential for fixed wireless access (FWA) in Philippines given its challenging geography, limited infrastructure to deploy fixed broadband and more than 40 percent rural population.

According to an Ericsson Consumer Lab Study, 1 in 3 of households in Philippines rely on mobile connectivity (via FWA, smartphone, mobile hotspot or similar) at home, indicating a strong appetite for a 5G FWA offering. 

Based on the right user experience being provided for people, there will be a massive adoption and opportunity for further uptake of FWA in the Philippines, Ericsson said.

“The time to make investments in the 5G networks in Philippines is now. 5G will serve as the critical infrastructure that will accelerate the digitalization of enterprises, transform consumer experiences and provide the country with a competitive edge when it comes to attracting foreign investments in the country,” Vicente said. 

Ericsson has been present in the Philippines for more than 36 years.