Core Insights - The article highlights a structural shift in industry focus from "can it be done" to "can it be scaled" as generative AI begins to penetrate the core of enterprise IT and operations, indicating a move towards system capability building and efficiency enhancement [1] Group 1: AI-Driven IT - Artificial intelligence is transforming IT functions from a maintenance role to an efficiency and innovation engine, with a decrease in the proportion of Keep The Lights On (KTLO) activities and an acceleration of Agentic Workflows and Generative AI [2][3] - This transformation signifies a shift of IT from a cost center to a scalable value delivery platform [3] Group 2: Quantum Strategy - Quantum technology has been officially integrated into national future industry core layouts, with post-quantum encryption, quantum computing, and quantum communication becoming key long-term competitive advantages [4] - Although general quantum computing is not yet mature, the demand for security and specific application scenarios is prompting companies to prepare in advance [4] Group 3: Evolving Computing Landscape - The ongoing AI boom has led to a reassessment of computing costs and hardware concentration, with Nvidia still holding a dominant position but the AI hardware market transitioning from a single-pole to a multi-pole competition, indicating the emergence of a "warring states" era [5][6] Group 4: 5G Value Realization - The commercialization of 5G has entered an "impact period," shifting the industry focus from network coverage to monetization capabilities [6] - Applications such as private networks, Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC), and APIs are beginning to yield returns, with the core competition among operators shifting to "how well it is used" rather than "how quickly it is built" [6]

Core Viewpoint - The telecommunications industry is at a critical juncture where operators must move beyond observation and integrate APIs into mature business solutions to realize the commercial value of 5G [1][3]. Summary by Sections 5G Development Stages - 5G technology has progressed through three stages: "Initial Phase," "Foundation Phase," and "Acceleration Phase," and is now entering the fourth stage: "Impact Phase," where its commercial value is expected to be fully realized [3][4]. - The 2025 5G Success Index has been introduced, focusing on commercial monetization with new metrics and adjusted weightings, reflecting a clearer understanding of the 5G development path [3]. 5G Success Index Overview - The 2024 year is seen as a year of preparation, with average scores across countries remaining stable, and the top five countries (USA, Spain, Finland, Australia, Singapore) maintaining their lead [5]. Global 5G Penetration Trends - The global 5G penetration rate is increasing, with 10 countries exceeding 30% penetration, and the UAE and Malaysia surpassing 50% [7]. - The speed of 5G adoption is significantly faster than that of 4G, attributed to the widespread availability of smartphones and increased data demand [7]. - However, the deployment of standalone (SA) networks is slowing, with only five new SA networks expected globally in 2024, down from nine in 2023 [7]. Regional Performance Highlights - France saw a significant increase in 5G user penetration from 11% to 20%, driven by operator Orange's initiatives [8]. - South Korea experienced a 13% decline in its index score due to the cancellation of key spectrum licenses, marking it as the first country to abandon critical 5G spectrum [8]. - Malaysia achieved a 55% 5G penetration rate through a single wholesale network model, while Indonesia's progress remains slow with only 2% penetration since its commercial launch [8]. 5G Development Phases and Operator Impact - The "Initial Phase" (2019-2022) involved network deployment but limited commercial success due to competitive pricing pressures [12]. - The "Foundation Phase" (2023) saw operators struggling to monetize their networks, with a shift towards API monetization initiatives [13]. Future of 5G Success - The "Impact Phase" starting in 2025 presents opportunities for operators as spectrum resources become available and network coverage expands [16]. - The integration of APIs is seen as a key to unlocking 5G success, with operators encouraged to open their service capabilities through APIs [18]. China’s 5G Practices - Chinese operators are actively exploring new technologies to convert network capabilities into commercial value, with significant investments in 5G-A technologies [21][22]. - By mid-2025, China had 1.118 billion 5G mobile users, with a penetration rate exceeding 79%, indicating a solid foundation for application innovation [14]. Actionable Insights for Operators - Operators are advised to proactively open network functionalities, collaborate with existing customers, and strengthen industry cooperation to maximize 5G opportunities [25].