CES 2020: IoT shines; 5G and content disappoint

This edition of the Industry Checkpoint series focuses on digital industries, highlighting how the market has changed in the last six months and its implications. The report considers four major developments: European operators intensifying their activities in sovereign cloud services; mobile networks growing their relevance with the emerging drone/UAV industry; operators in Japan accelerating their work in the physical AI space; and robotaxi services preparing for launch in Europe.

5G monetisation remains a challenge across MENA, with ARPU growth broadly flat – even as operators prepare to invest a further $53 billion between 2026 and 2030 in 5G standalone and 5G-Advanced. This research examines which consumer and enterprise monetisation models are working across MENA, from volume- and speed-based pricing to fixed wireless access, private networks and AI services. It explains why results differ between advanced, growth and future-launch markets, and how spectrum pricing, tariff regulation and device affordability shape what operators can offer.

Operator strategies continue to evolve in the digital era as the telecoms industry seeks to capture new growth opportunities in the consumer and enterprise markets. Assessing innovation and achievements is more important than ever before. GSMA Intelligence's operator case studies provide a concise and consistent way to shine a light on and analyse operators' strategies and business models, as well as how they are launching new services. This edition analyses AT&T's expansion of its IoT Video Intelligence solution with the launch of EdgeVis Cloud.