Publication: The Path to 5G in the Developing World: Planning Ahead for a Smooth Transition
Loading...
Files in English
2,526 downloads
Date
2024-06-11
ISSN
Published
2024-06-11
Author(s)
Editor(s)
Abstract
The global race for implementing 5G mobile technologies has seen countries riding a new wave of wireless technologies. 5G—the next generation of mobile technologies—can enable a significantly higher level of performance over 4G mobile communications, providing a new layer of connectivity to support innovative, data-intensive applications. With the estimated impact of 5G on global gross domestic product to be in the trillions of US dollars, 5G’s deployment will drive innovation, job creation, worker productivity, and competitiveness across various sectors. Several use cases are already being tested, and deployment is under way in many countries.
For some countries, 5G may seem a distant future prospect given the costs of infrastructure deployment and the need for expensive handsets; for other countries, 5G is an on-ramp to Industry 4.0 and has been folded into national strategy planning. 5G trials, pilots, and commercial deployments have been progressing around the world, but most deployments are in higher-income countries. Significant barriers remain for developing countries, many of which pertain to the challenges faced by the broader telecommunications sector and all of which threaten to further widen the digital divide and limit access to the economic opportunities that 5G connectivity enables.
What does this reality mean for developing countries, and how can national governments prepare? "The Path to 5G in the Developing World: Planning Ahead for a Smooth Transition" surveys the technical capabilities of 5G and explores how countries can reach connectivity goals by using 5G as a layer of connectivity along with 4G and other technologies. This report also provides a guide for policy makers to better understand the opportunities, challenges, and risks posed by 5G so that they can plan for a policy and regulatory ecosystem that supports the path to advanced mobile network deployment, access, and adoption.
Link to Data Set
Citation
“World Bank. 2024. The Path to 5G in the Developing World: Planning Ahead for a Smooth Transition. Sustainable Infrastructure Series. © World Bank. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/41689 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”
Associated URLs
Associated content
Other publications in this report series
Journal
Journal Volume
Journal Issue
Collections
Related items
Showing items related by metadata.
Publication The World Bank's GEF Program in the Middle East and North Africa Region : Global Environmental Benefits Contributing to National Development Goals(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2014-01)The report focuses on the two decades of the World Bank - Global Environment Facility (GEF) partnership with the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries. This partnership has had a global environmental impact by working both at the local and national level and engaging all relevant partners and stakeholders. In addition, many GEF financed operations stand as examples of what a more holistic approach can achieve in terms of innovation and catalyzing greater investment. These operations have also delivered important social benefits such as job creation, enhanced economic and social inclusion, and strengthened governance capabilities. Presently the region s most pressing environmental challenges stem from rapid urbanization and its resulting infrastructure needs, industrial pollution, overexploitation of scarce water resources, the unsustainable management of fragile ecosystem resources and vulnerability to climate variability and climate change. Decision makers working to address these problems also face many tightly linked and urgent social issues. These issues include meeting the aspirations of a quickly growing urban youth population; giving voice to gender and women s issues; finding ways to spur job growth; and reversing the poor provision of basic services. This publication also points to opportunities for further World Bank - GEF cooperation in support of green growth.Publication Energy Intensive Sectors of the Indian Economy : Path to Low Carbon Development(World Bank, 2011-11-01)The report is divided into seven chapters. Chapter one discusses India's current carbon footprint, the drivers that will contribute to growth in Green House Gas (GHG) emissions, the objectives of the study, and the scope and methodology of the analytical approach. Chapter two provides an overview of each of the sectors covered by the study, along with their respective specific challenges and past performance, and the modeling approach adopted in the study. Chapters three, four, and five provide the specific assumptions and findings of the three scenarios: (1) scenario one, alternatively called five year plans scenario, assumes full implementation of the five year plans and other projections and plans by the government of India; (2) scenario two, alternatively called delayed implementation, more closely follows historical performance in implementation of the five year plans; (3) scenario three, or all-out stretch scenario, adds to scenario one additional steps to increase energy efficiency and low-carbon energy sources Sensitivity analysis is conducted on each scenario. Chapter six provides a brief comparison of the results of the three scenarios, and chapter seven concludes with a brief description of the challenges of low-carbon development in India.Publication Energy Intensive Sectors of the Indian Economy : Path to Low Carbon Development(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2011-08)Energy Intensive Sectors of the Indian Economy: Path to Low Carbon Development is the product of a collaborative effort between the World Bank and the Government of India, under the overall leadership of the Planning Commission and the Ministry of Power, and with the financial assistance of the Department for International Development (DFID) and the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP). The study was requested by the Government of India to develop the analytical capacity for identifying low carbon growth opportunities up to the end of the 15th Five Year Plan (March 2032) in major sectors of the economy; and to facilitate informed decision making by improving the knowledge base and raising national and international awareness of India efforts to address global climate change. The study uses an innovative engineering based, bottom up model to examine CO2 emissions from energy use during 2007 to 2031. It focuses on sectors and areas that are expected to contribute significantly to India's future growth in CO2 emissions. The report received significant support from ministries and agencies of the Government of India, including the planning commission, the ministry of environment and forests, and the ministry of power, the central electricity authority, and the bureau of energy efficiency.Publication Development and Climate Change : A Strategic Framework for the World Bank Group(Washington, DC, 2012-06)The framework provided a road map for climate action for the World Bank Group (WBG) over fiscal years 2009-11, setting out the WBG's objectives, principles, areas of focus, and major initiatives in the field of climate change. The framework was organized around six action areas: 1) supporting climate actions in country-led development processes; 2) mobilizing additional concessional and innovative finance; 3) facilitating the development of market-based financing mechanisms; 4) leveraging private sector resources; 5) supporting accelerated development and deployment of new technologies; and 6) stepping up policy research, knowledge, and capacity building. Climate change is one of the multiple stressors that affect the environment and impact on income and welfare. Further, its impact is worsened by other environmental damages. Looking ahead, strategies to combat climate change have to account for the continued need for rapid growth in developing countries. In this context, the World Bank is now looking at climate change in a holistic manner, bringing together climate change efforts with work on growth and broader management of natural resources and pollution. The WBG has successfully worked with clients and partners to mainstream climate considerations into the WBG's core business and strategies to reach impact on the ground. Yet this remains a make-or-break decade for climate action despite escalating levels of engagement within and outside the WBG.Publication The Low Carbon City Development Program Guidebook(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2014)According to the United Nations population fund, the world is undergoing the largest wave of urban growth in history, with more people now living in cities than in rural areas. Cities are also responsible for a high proportion of global carbon emissions, which are the main driver of anthropogenic climate change. By taking the lead on low carbon development, cities have the opportunity to engage in an important dialogue about sustainable development, directly address local issues, and contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Low carbon development strategies allow cities to position themselves as major players in climate change mitigation, as well as set an example for the development of national emission reduction policies. The systematic approach offered by a low carbon city development program (LCCDP) enables a city to overcome the barriers faced in single project implementation and pursue an integrated low carbon pathway. It provides a common framework to identify, implement, and measure low carbon interventions that will not only contribute to lower emissions, but will also address urban development needs. The LCCDP guidebook helps orient cities to design and implement an LCCDP that complies with the LCCDP assessment protocol, which is a new protocol based on existing, internationally recognized standards for systems design, and GHG accounting. The LCCDP assessment protocol consists of a set of standardized requirements developed to ensure that LCCDPs will achieve their targets and objectives when implemented. Thus the guidebook aims to assist the reader through the process of designing and implementing an LCCDP.
Users also downloaded
Showing related downloaded files
Publication Women in Water Utilities(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2019-08-27)Women are significantly underrepresented in the water workforce. Multiple barriers, ranging from social norms, to inadequate HR policies, to an unwelcoming work environment, pose challenges to female water professionals’ entering, staying and advancing in the water sector. This study explores these barriers and provides utilities with practical approaches to advance their gender diversity.Publication Business Ready 2024(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2024-10-03)Business Ready (B-READY) is a new World Bank Group corporate flagship report that evaluates the business and investment climate worldwide. It replaces and improves upon the Doing Business project. B-READY provides a comprehensive data set and description of the factors that strengthen the private sector, not only by advancing the interests of individual firms but also by elevating the interests of workers, consumers, potential new enterprises, and the natural environment. This 2024 report introduces a new analytical framework that benchmarks economies based on three pillars: Regulatory Framework, Public Services, and Operational Efficiency. The analysis centers on 10 topics essential for private sector development that correspond to various stages of the life cycle of a firm. The report also offers insights into three cross-cutting themes that are relevant for modern economies: digital adoption, environmental sustainability, and gender. B-READY draws on a robust data collection process that includes specially tailored expert questionnaires and firm-level surveys. The 2024 report, which covers 50 economies, serves as the first in a series that will expand in geographical coverage and refine its methodology over time, supporting reform advocacy, policy guidance, and further analysis and research.Publication Partnership for Growth(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2018-01)Partnership for growth: linking large firms and agro-processing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) presents lessons learned from various models utilized by public and private sector programs to stimulate the growth of agro-processing SMEs through linkages to larger firms in developing countries. The study serves as a reference for policymakers, development practitioners, and private sector actors. It used a three-pronged approach to data collection, analysis, and synthesis. First, a literature review was conducted to identify results and outcomes of recently implemented lead firm - SME linkage programs. Second, the literature review helped identify examples of initiatives focused on linking lead firms and agro-processing SMEs in 56 countries in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America. Data from 66 projects were examined in a meta-analysis to refine the findings from the literature review. Third, six linkage initiatives with a broad range of projects in numerous locations were selected for in-depth analysis and inclusion in the report as case studies. The guidance note for policy makers aims to provide guidance to policymakers hoping to promote the growth of agro-processing SMEs by positioning them as suppliers to larger firms. The six case studies are intended to provide development practitioners with further details and contextual insights, which they can consider when designing lead firm - SME linkage programs.Publication Growth in Low-Income Countries(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2019-07)There are currently 31 countries classified as low income, less than half the number in 2001. Rapid growth in low-income countries from 2001 to 2018 allowed many to progress to middle-income status, supported by the commodity price boom of 2001-11, debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Country Initiative and Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative, increased investment in human and physical capital, improved economic policy frameworks, and recoveries from the deep recessions in transition economies during the 1990s. However, the prospects for current low-income countries appear much more challenging. Compared to the low-income countries in 2001 that became middle-income countries, today's low-income countries are further below the middle-income country threshold and more often fragile; their heavy reliance on agriculture makes them vulnerable to climate change and extreme weather events; and their scope to boost external trade is limited by geography. Coordinated and multi-pronged policy efforts are required to address these challenges.Publication Commodity Markets Outlook, April 2025(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2025-04-29)Commodity prices are set to fall sharply this year, by about 12 percent overall, as weakening global economic growth weighs on demand. In 2026, commodity prices are projected to reach a six-year low. Oil prices are expected to exert substantial downward pressure on the aggregate commodity index in 2025, as a marked slowdown in global oil consumption coincides with expanding supply. The anticipated commodity price softening is broad-based, however, with more than half of the commodities in the forecast set to decrease this year, many by more than 10 percent. The latest shocks to hit commodity markets extend a so far tumultuous decade, marked by the highest level of commodity price volatility in at least half a century. Between 2020 and 2024, commodity price swings were frequent and sharp, with knock-on consequences for economic activity and inflation. In the next two years, commodity prices are expected to put downward pressure on global inflation. Risks to the commodity price projections are tilted to the downside. A sharper-than-expected slowdown in global growth—driven by worsening trade relations or a prolonged tightening of financial conditions—could further depress commodity demand, especially for industrial products. In addition, if OPEC+ fully unwinds its voluntary supply cuts, oil production will far exceed projected consumption. There are also important upside risks to commodity prices—for instance, if geopolitical tensions worsen, threatening oil and gas supplies, or if extreme weather events lead to agricultural and energy price spikes.