The Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) has launched the first database in the telecommunications industry to track worldwide 5G devices. This new 5G device tracking and reporting facility, which forms part of the GSA Analyser for Mobile Broadband Devices (GAMBoD) database, “represents an important milestone for the 5G ecosystem as it moves from service trials and prototype user equipment to commercially available services and devices”.
In its first survey, 5G Device Ecosystem Report, dated March 2019, the GSA identified a total of 23 vendors that have confirmed the upcoming availability of 5G devices, with 33 different devices available, including regional variants. There were 7 publicized 5G device form factors, namely phones, hotspots, indoor CPE, outdoor CPE, modules, Snap-On dongles, adapters and USB terminals.
On a per form factor basis, the report identified 12 phones (plus regional variants), 5 hotspots (plus regional variants), 8 CPE devices (indoor and outdoor), 5 modules, 2 Snap-On dongles / adapters and 1 USB terminal. The GSA report also confirmed that 5G chipsets have been announced or are available from five vendors, including Huawei, Intel, Mediatek, Qualcomm and Samsung.
Joe Barrett, president of the association, said, “Commercial services need commercial devices, so the momentum behind 5G devices represents an important benchmark for the worldwide roll-out of live 5G services. While early 4G devices were modems and dongles, with 5G we’re seeing smartphones lead the way with early commercial availability. This gives an early indication of where the industry is expecting to see the first 5G opportunities.”
“For network and device vendors, regulators and industry observers, the GAMBoD database is a valuable go-to resource for the latest global 5G data. I want to thank the 70+ strong GSA Spectrum Group for helping us keep the database up to date,” Barret added.
The GSA is a prime source of information for industry reports and market intelligence. This organization plans to continue tracking the availability of 5G devices as the market grows and develops, with an updated database due to be published every month.
