\tLIVE FROM GSMA MOBILE 360 MENA, DUBAI: Isabelle Mauro, head of digital communications industry at the World Economic Forum (WEF), called on operators to to avoid past mistakes by opening discussions with verticals immediately and create business models which benefit the mobile industry.<\/p>\n
Mauro (pictured) said operators \u201cmissed the boat with OTT players\u201d ten years ago when companies in Silicon Valley were emerging in the 3G and 4G era.<\/p>\n
With 5G, Mauro said it was vital operators play a bigger role in the wider ecosystem. \u201cThis is the time to sit at the table and create business models that makes telcos part of the value chain, and not just a pipe,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
To illustrate the current operator challenge, Mauro recalled a recent meeting WEF held with the GSMA, and vertical companies and bodies including the 5G Automotive Association and Uber.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe speak to these industries about how to align business models and share revenue in the value chain. But they say all they care about is capacity and the rest is a telco problem. The thinking behind the verticals is still about us being the pipe.\u201d<\/p>\n
Killer app
\nAs well as opening dialogue with verticals, Mauro also said it was important to work with regulators to lay out, specifically, what the 5G era will bring. She said there are several use cases including enhanced broadband and lower latency, but it was still unclear as to how exactly these will benefit users.<\/p>\n
\u201cTake lower latency. What exactly does this mean for me? Ten years ago, we didn\u2019t know what 4G would mean. For 5G, we do not [have] a killer app to show. We need explain how 5G will change our lives.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
LIVE FROM GSMA MOBILE 360 MENA, DUBAI: Isabelle Mauro, head of digital communications industry at …<\/p>\n
The post WEF urges operators to finally move beyond the pipe<\/a> appeared first on Mobile World Live<\/a>.<\/p>\n