TNS’ Race for 5G Report: 72% of US Adults Would Be Willing to Upgrade to a 5G Capable Device When Available

Even though satisfaction rates are high for current mobile networks, when asked about 5G, the majority of respondents agreed they are aware of 5G and anxious to experience everything it may offer, most notably faster speeds, a new report from Transaction Network Services (TNS) found, which reported the findings of an independent survey* carried out on US adults.

TNS’ The Race for 5G Report: Consumers Confirm They Want Better Wireless Connectivity reveals the strong desire for 5G and increasing data consumption demands, especially from Generations Y and Z.

The report identifies:

• Satisfaction with current mobile networks – nearly 75% feel their current network meets their needs
• Willingness to upgrade – 3 in 4 are willing to upgrade when 5G is available even though they are satisfied with their current network
• Under 34s lead the way - 83% of the 18 to 34 years age group said they were willing to upgrade to a 5G capable device and 5G access plan if it’s not too expensive
• Large data consumption packages in demand - Almost a third of those surveyed, 31%, agreed that 4G/LTE services did not meet their data consumption needs, rising from 24% in 2016
• Lack of coverage causing subscribers to switch - 25% of respondents said they have switched between mobile cell phone carriers due to the lack of 4G/LTE coverage, the highest percentage of those who had switched was the 25-34 years age group at 41%

“Our research shows an increase in the number of consumers willing to upgrade to a 5G capable device and 5G access plan. This will put significant pressure on mobile operators to stay one step ahead and focus on competitively being able to offer the latest technology", said Bill Versen, Chief Product Officer at TNS. “The combination of speed, responsiveness and reach could unlock the full capabilities of other hot trends in technology, offering a boost to self-driving cars, drones, virtual reality and the internet of things.”

TNS’ Data Services Hub enables operators to accelerate the deployment of 4G LTE and VoLTE technology and expand their national and international LTE and VoLTE roaming footprint. 5G is widely expected to provide 20 times the peak data speed, 10 times lower latency, and 3 times more spectral efficiency. Mobile Operators could further leverage the Data Services Hub for non-standalone 5G by combining LTE and 5G New Radio through the existing Hub 4G deployments to rapidly deploy 5G mobile services. Rapid 5G deployment combined with technology neutral roaming agreements through the LTE Roaming Hub provides an optimal path for 5G evolution.

Versen adds, “Competition is intense among mobile carriers with extremely strong, targeted trade-in-programs created to entice today’s tech savvy consumers, especially gen Y and Z who grew up with smart phones. As the hungriest for 5G and all it has to offer, it is these groups who mobile operators should be targeting as their spending power increases over time and they make up a larger percentage of the overall subscriber base.”

 Source: TNS media announcement