Private 5G cellular network deployment is one of the primary drivers for digital transformation in the Asia-Pacific region. 5G is the technological evolution that many enterprises in the region have been waiting for as demand for increased data speeds, enhanced signal reliability, better coverage, lower latencies, and improved network efficiencies grows. To provide a clearer picture of the growing prevalence of 5G business opportunities in Asia-Pacific, this post highlights three intriguing case studies in this potential US$13.5 billion market (by 2028).

5G Case Study #1: Swoop Aero, Australia

Swoop Aero, the world’s only end-to-end drone logistics platform, is an Australian company that leverages 5G to support its Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered delivery drones. After receiving official approval from the Civil Aviation and Safety Authority (CASA) to operate drone services for delivering medical supplies and equipment, Swoop Aero autopilots can operate as many as five drones simultaneously.

The key to unlocking the full potential of Swoop Aero’s fleet of drones is Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC) 5G. This 5G feature enables the drone to take advantage of machine vision, cloud services, and other AI capabilities to survey the environment and ascertain if a safe landing is possible.

By skipping over various supply chain stops, 5G-powered drone deliveries reduce the frequency of shipment delays and bolster operational efficiency. Tellingly, Swoop Aero claims the use of drones will reduce delivery times for pathology samples between the Moreton Bay islands from up to 6 hours down to 50 minutes.

Mater Pathology General Manager (GM) Deb Hornsby, in praising the 5G application, says the Swoop Aero drone fleet will be a game-changer over the ferry terminals and courier services that the hospital has traditionally relied on.

5G Case Study #2: LG Smart Park, South Korea

Without a 5G deployment, LG’s South Korean Smart Park production facility wouldn’t have reached the status of being a “Lighthouse Factory” by the World Economic Forum (WEF). If you’re not familiar with the term, a Lighthouse Factory is a facility that uses the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, AI, and automation for enhancing supply chain and manufacturing processes. All of these technological solutions are improved with a 5G network.

But how exactly does LG Smart Park use 5G?

Well, for one thing, LG Smart Park operators use 5G-enabled digital twin technology. The company plants sensors throughout the facility with the goal of monitoring production phases in real time. Through this 5G-enabled solution, LG can quickly identify anomalies in the production line and address issues.

Moreover, 5G is used by LG Smart Park for Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and robots. With 5G’s URLLC abilities, the AGVs automate the process of delivering components and parts to their intended destinations. This 5G solution has translated to a 30% reduction in warehouse space usage and a 25% decrease in the time needed for transporting parts.

5G Case Study #3: Qingdao Smart Grid, China

Imagine, as a utility grid operator, that you could detect faults in the energy distribution line in a matter of milliseconds. This would allow you to fix electrical grid problems long before an expensive power outage occurs. Chinese State Grid Qingdao Electric Supply Company, China Telecom Qingdao branch, and Huawei accomplished this feat for the Qingdao Smart Grid using 30 5G base stations for connectivity.

More specifically, the Chinese smart grid leveraged 5G’s Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), URLLC, and Massive Machine-Type Communications (mMTC) capabilities. With these features, the grid operator can identify and solve energy distribution line issues through 5G-enabled differential protection equipment.

The Qingdao Smart Grid is also successful at conserving energy. The energy consumption of each 5G base station cuts its carbon footprint by 20% through peak-clipping and valley-filling. This approach entails the storing of energy during off-peak hours for the electrical grid, and then drawing the energy when needed during high-peak hours.

Asia-Pacific Will Dominate 5G Markets

As these case studies exemplify, 5G is a key enabler of Asia-Pacific enterprises digitizing their businesses. Asia-Pacific is the largest market worldwide for mobile wireless technology and 5G. According to the market forecasts compiled by ABI Research, the Asia-Pacific region will account for 70% of global private 5G network revenue (US$13.5 billion) in 2028.

Just as important, 53% of global 5G network slicing revenue (US$12.6 billion) will come from the Asia-Pacific region. These gargantuan market opportunities make it all the more important for mobile operators to progress their understanding of 5G use cases in the region.

To analyze the Asia-Pacific 5G market opportunity even further, download ABI Research’s Asia-Pacific 5G-to-Business Developments and Outlook Research Report

But if you’re not ready for the report yet, check out our 5G Private Networks in Asia-Pacific: A US$13.5 Billion Opportunity Spurred by Digitalization Research Highlight.

This content is part of our 5G Markets Research Service.