Boardroom Discussions - 5G Technology and Its Application and Benefits for Society and Economy

At the very first session of the fourth generation of the Boardroom Discussions: Digital Transformation from CEO Perspective program, keynote speaker Mr. Boris Drilo, Member of the Management Board and Chief Technical and Chief Information Officer (CTIO) at Hrvatski Telekom talked about 5G technology and its application and benefits for society and economy.

With the 5G technology we have a great opportunity to boost the economy, and to increase the quality of life across Croatia.

Hrvatski Telekom, is the first to have launched a commercial 5G network in Croatia, putting it alongside European and world markets that are already taking advantage of the opportunities provided by 5G technology. The application of 5G opens a door to a new chapter in the development of the digital society and economy and sets Croatia up for the digital transformation based on the Industry 4.0.

The fifth generation of mobile networks will not only provide a better internet access and faster connectivity, which are a prerequisite for smart industries, but it will also enable further development of existing, and completely new digital services, such as networked sensors and AI in the context of "smart and green solutions" in manufacturing, agriculture, health, transport, education, energy sectors, to name a few, raising national and local competitiveness in the process. In parallel, it will contribute to the development of new digital skills and bring up new and high-value jobs in Croatia.

All the advanced nations have 5G defined as a strategic technology, and it’s up to us to make the most of the technology that will shape the future 15 years, as its application can by 2035 result in economic effects between 1.4 and 16.8 billion euro, depending on how proactive Croatia’s 5G approach will be.