Chinese digital technology giant Huawei has announced that the adoption of 5.5G wireless broadband technology is inevitable. The company believes that combining generative artificial intelligence (AI) with 5.5G will unlock new creative and economic potential in Thailand and the Asia-Pacific region.
Huawei’s Commitment to Thailand’s Digital Transformation
Abel Deng, President of Carrier Sales Business, Huawei Asia Pacific, highlighted Huawei’s commitment to accelerating Thailand’s digital transformation through 5.5G. The goal is to help Thailand become a hub of the region’s digital economy. Earlier this year, global standardization of 5.5G was completed, marking an important milestone for the technology.
“5.5G is not just about connectivity, it’s about creating a smarter, more efficient world where industries can innovate without limits,” Deng said.
5. Main Benefits of 5G
5.5G offers 10x improvements in bandwidth speeds, connection density, positioning accuracy, and energy efficiency compared to 5G: 10 Gigabits per second (Gbps) downlink speeds, 1 Gbps uplink speeds, hundreds of billions of connections, and built-in intelligence. These advances support new applications such as augmented reality, low altitude economics, and intelligent connectivity, delivering even greater digital benefits.
Tang made these points at the Asia-Pacific ICT Summit Thailand 2024, a two-day event co-hosted by Thailand’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, Huawei and industry partners from the GSMA, the non-profit mobile networks industry association.
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Global reach and support
Currently, more than 30 types of devices support 5.5G technology, 60 operators have commercialized 5.5G, and many countries, from China to the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong to Oman, have already launched 5.5G on a large scale.
AI and 5.5G: A powerful combination
According to IT research firm IDC, AI smartphone shipments are expected to reach 170 million units in 2024, accounting for 15% of the global market. Asia-Pacific is expected to lead this growth, potentially accounting for 40-50% of shipments. 5.5G is needed to deliver the massive amount of content expected. Combined with AI, 5.5G can unlock the region’s huge economic potential.
“Thailand is leading the region’s digital transformation with its rapid adoption of 5G, driving major advances in the industry. With the arrival of 5.5G, Thailand is heading towards another stage of transformation,” Mr Deng said.
The Economic Impact of 5G and 5.5G
Deng noted the important role 5G will play in the digital economic development of all countries, and a study in the Asia-Pacific region found that every 10% increase in 5G penetration could boost GDP by 1-1.8%.
Conclusion
Huawei’s push for 5.5G wireless broadband technology underscores the company’s commitment to driving digital transformation in the Asia-Pacific region. A significant improvement over 5G, 5.5G offers faster speeds, greater connection density, and enhanced energy efficiency. Combined with AI, the technology has the potential to unlock new economic and creative opportunities, especially in Thailand, which can become the digital economic hub of the region. The adoption and deployment of 5.5G on a global scale signals a major shift toward smarter, more efficient connectivity and innovation.
