5G-A Monetization Gains Momentum: Operators Move Beyond Connectivity

BARCELONA, Spain – February 26, 2026 – The monetization of the 5G-A experience has reached a critical stage, transitioning from design and testing to large-scale commercial deployment. Driven by industry innovation and technological advancements, operators are now focused on extracting value beyond basic communication services, with over 45 million users in China already benefiting from these new offerings.

Shifting Focus: From Performance to Experience

Over the past year, the industry has concentrated on three key areas: enhancing network capabilities, developing innovative business models, and fostering collaboration within the 5G ecosystem. Efforts, in partnership with GSMA Foundry and over 10 leading operators globally, have yielded initial successes in case study incubation and commercial exploration.

Intelligent Networks for Enhanced User Experience

A core component of this evolution is the introduction of intelligence into networks. This allows packet core networks to understand the user experience in real-time, shifting the focus from traditional performance indicators to quality of experience (QoE). A “five capabilities” framework, developed based on successful implementations in China, is guiding this transformation:

• Experience Definition: Clearly defining the desired user experience.
• Network Assurance: Ensuring the network consistently delivers the defined experience.
• Product Promotion: Effectively marketing experience-based services to users.
• Consumer Perception: Understanding how users perceive the value of these services.
• Supply Estimation: Accurately forecasting the resources needed to support the experience.

These capabilities empower operators to monetize the closed-loop experience, creating a more valuable offering for consumers.

Innovative Business Models: Experience as a Premium

The concept of business design is also evolving, with experience privileges increasingly integrated into both core and supplementary service packages. For example, experience enhancements are now included in VIP Diamond and VIP Platinum user packages, incentivizing upgrades and fostering loyalty. Operators are launching add-on services tailored to specific scenarios, such as high-speed train travel or crowded stadiums, enabling on-demand service delivery and increased revenue per subscriber.

MyLogo: An Entry Point for Monetization and Marketing

Consumer devices are now equipped to support the static display of MyLogo. In 2025, collaborations with partners like Huawei Device Company and China Mobile Group Device Company advanced MyLogo from a static display to an interactive platform. Pilot projects in Henan and Zhejiang provinces have demonstrated the potential of MyLogo as an entry point for experience monetization and intelligent marketing.

Looking Ahead

The successful deployment of 5G-A monetization strategies signals a significant shift in the telecommunications landscape. As operators continue to refine their network capabilities, business models, and ecosystem collaborations, the potential for delivering truly differentiated and valuable experiences to consumers will only continue to grow.