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].