• by P.J. Bednarski  @pjbtweet, January 25, 2019

In case there was any doubt, a new report says many consumers are eager for 5G to hit the marketplace.

And in case there was any doubt there are two sides to every coin, many consumers are a lot less enthused that 5G is going to rock their world. Many of them will gladly wait to watch it unfold before hopping aboard the 5G train.

It would seem 5G has a ready audience. Matrixx Software checked in with 4,000 mobile users in the U.S. and U.K. and discovered nearly 70% of mobile users on both sides of the pond say 4G connects too slowly, isn’t reliable in heavy traffic, or just isn’t available everywhere.

But consumers awaiting 5G are a little cautious about claims of its superiority. Only 33% are confident about that 5G future, but that group is eager to find out.

-- 87% plan to upgrade to 5G.
-- 78% are willing to pay more 5G-enabled devices.
-- 88% are willing to pay more for 5G wireless service.
-- 76% will switch carriers to get 5G service.

The 5G enthusiasts seem like a great bonus for telcos and hardware makers.

“The feedback from consumers paints a very clear picture for operators: 'Deliver a 5G experience worth the attention, and we’ll gladly pay for the privilege of using it,’” said Dave Labuda, Matrixx founder, CEO and CTO.  “In an industry fighting to keep customers amidst consolidation and competition from digital MVNOs and OTT players, 5G presents a real opportunity to deliver a powerful value-add to the consumer.”

On the other hand, while a recent survey from PwC says 53% would switch either mobile devices or providers to get 5G, they aren’t in a big rush to do so. In this study, of 1,000 people in the U.S. between the ages of 18-64, 74% said they would wait until they were eligible for an upgrade.

The PwC report says 5G’s emergence  “doesn’t just promise a faster version of the 4G internet we have now; by some estimates, 5G will spur $1 trillion in global GDP over the next three years.”
But it also points out that more providers will emerge, which is good news for consumers but will create “downward pricing pressure on mobile broadband as the number of provider options grow.” And in that race, service will be key, says PwC.