The global bandwagon for 5G has undoubtedly left the station in the first half of 2018. One can hardly blame the anticipation among global telecom operators and handset manufacturers after they experienced the first flat year in global smartphone shipments since the category was introduced. Worldwide, the fifth generation of mobile communication could revive the global smartphone market, while creating new monetization opportunities in innovative spaces such as mobile video, augmented reality, and autonomous vehicles.  

CCS Insight believes that there could be 1.3 billion global subscribers to 5G networks by 2023. However, the vast majority of the early users will likely be scattered across China and the U.S. While China may have an early lead on the U.S. in terms of 5G preparedness, perhaps no market has more to win or lose with 5G than America.