This is determined by a new Accenture study, launched in the context of the MWC. According to other results of the report, the executives surveyed affirm that 5G has important competitive implications and 60% believe that it will reach almost the entire population by 2022.

Global business and technology executives underestimate the disruptive potential of 5G technology due to its ability to increase speed and capacity, according to the results of a global study conducted by Accenture (NYSE: ACN). A survey of more than 1,800 executives from large and medium-sized companies in 10 countries found that the majority of respondents (53%) believe there are “few things” that 5G will allow them to do that they cannot currently do with 4G. Just over two in five executives (37%) expect 5G to bring a “revolutionary” change in speed and capacity.

At the same time, executives say 5G has important competitive implications. Sixty percent of respondents believe that 5G will reach almost the entire population by 2022, and 70% estimate that 5G applications will give them a competitive advantage with consumers. More than two in five executives also expect 5G to have a “significant” impact on speed (46%) and capacity (42%).

George Nazi, Global Network Lead at Accenture, explained that "the development of 5G is fundamental in the new post-digital era, since it provides unprecedented connectivity capabilities, which will create unique opportunities for companies, governments and society in general. Thus, for example, it is estimated that in 2022, of the 29 billion connected devices that will exist, 18 million will be related to IoT and the cases of greatest impact of use of the Internet of Things will depend on the attributes of the networks. 5G.”

The role of Telcos

Nearly three-quarters (72%) of executives said they needed help envisioning the future possibilities and use cases of 5G, and that telecommunications companies are one of the main service providers with which executives plan to partner to develop 5G, cited by 40% of respondents. However, 60% of executives said there is a lack of knowledge among communications service providers about the challenges in their industries, such as how various industries can apply 5G technology to innovate.

Executives also cited a number of barriers they perceive to 5G adoption, including initial investment (36%), security (32%), and employee collaboration (29%). While 78% of executives believe that using 5G in their work environments will make their business safer, a third (32%) have concerns about the security of 5G.

Gabriela Álvarez said that "despite the knowledge gap that currently exists around 5G, companies worldwide know that this technology can add important value to their businesses. Given this, companies must begin to work on eliminating the barriers they identify for its adoption and begin to unlock that value, in order to remain competitive in the new post-digital era."

Other results of the study:

Perceptions of 5G vary across industries, with more than half (53%) of energy executives saying 5G will have a revolutionary impact through its ability to reach new places – such as remote and inhospitable areas – compared to just 41% of all executives surveyed.
The public sector has the lowest awareness of 5G, with 59% believing it will be 10 times faster than 4G, compared to 67% saying the same among all respondents. Additionally, only 66% of government executives, compared to 78% of all respondents, believe that using 5G for workplace connectivity will make companies more secure.