Number of pages: 42

Published: August 2021

About the Report

As more MNOs launch 5G services worldwide, the use of 5G has started to become a mass-market product. According some of the latest research, there were nearly 300 million 5G subscribers at the end of March 2021, with some forecast predicting the figure to reach just under 5 billion at the end of 2026. 

But the relatively high cost of 5G devices does mean that 5G is still being used to support premium post pay bundles with higher download speeds. The premium 5G plans being offered typically provide streaming, mobile roaming or mobile data bundles as the most popular plan. However, to-date there has been no “killer” application associated with 5G services although selected MNOs are now reporting an increase in 5G subscriptions and the number of 5G devices sold.

MNOs are adding a limited number of video or music streaming services with a premium 5G plan.  In most cases reveals the survey that the MNO is bundling a similar range of value-added services with 5G as for 4G services (including extra mobile data, music streaming, and most of all video & music streaming services) and there are relatively few 5G-specific services being launched by the MNO – with the main video streaming content being provided by Amazon Prime, Netflix and YouTube Premium.

The survey finds there are expections like  the VR (Virtual Reality) CSL 5G VR music streaming service bundled by CSL Hong Kong which is used for a virtual reality video for K-POP talent. Standard gaming streaming services have also been incorporated (TIMGAMES for the TIM Youth plan as an example) but most MNOs have been slow to introduce gaming services - which of all applications may benefit the most from a 5G experience.

The report covers examples of 5G premium and value added services for 33 operators. 

Table of contents - Premium 5G mobile services & value-added services

Introduction – The introduction of Premium 5G services, still awaiting a “killer” application

The 5G Promotional Offers being provided by the MNO

Premium 5G services – The bundling of 5G services with premium plans

Premium 5G services – The value-added services suitable for 5G services

Premium 5G services – Examples of 5G services & value-added services worldwide

Conclusions - Premium 5G mobile services & value-added services

A list of Figures - Premium 5G mobile services & value-added services

Figure 1 – A table showing the currency exchange rates used in the report

Figure 2 – A chart showing the growth in 5G subscriptions from KDDI (au) 

Figure 3 – A screenshot showing the streaming services offered by KDDI/au with a premium 5G plan

Figure 4 – EE’s selection of iPhone 12 64 GB with the Essential unlimited plan

Figure 5 – A chart showing the increase in 5G subscribers in South Korea - the last reported figures

Figure 6 – A chart showing the comparison of 5G & 4G speeds for selected applications from Batelco

Figure 7 – A chart showing the Batelco Bahrain 5G post pay plans available 

Figure 8 – A screenshot showing the Telia Denmark Premium 5G plan

Figure 9 – A screenshot & text box summary detailing the China Mobile Hong Kong 5G plan

Figure 10 – A screenshot showing the Vodafone Qatar Unlimited 5G Plans

Figure 11 – A screenshot showing a T-Mobile Magenta MAX advertisement

Figure 12 – A promotional banner showing the SmarTone 5G service

Figure 13 – A picture showing 5G Power mobile offers promoted on P&T’s website

Figure 14 – A table summarising the additional services offered by MNOs as part of a 5G
                  plan

Figure 15 – A picture showing the Lenovo Telo GAMEZ smartphone

Figure 16 – A screenshot showing the Telenor Bulgaria Total Max plans

Figure 17 – A screenshot of the Vodafone Greece’s 5G Plans

Figure 18 – A screenshot of the Telkomsel Orbit Ultra 5G product

Figure 19 – A picture showing the film, TV & game streaming services - Telkomsel with 5G
                  services

Figure 20 – A picture showing TIM’s 5G plans

Figure 21 – A promotional graphic showing the Vodafone Italy GameNow product

Figure 22 – A chart showing the NTT DoCoMo 5G Gigaho Premier discount that is available  

Figure 23 – A graphic showing the KT 5G Super Plan Plus plan

Figure 24 – A screenshot showing the LG U Plus YouTube Premium 5G bundle 

Figure 25 – A screenshot showing the OSN streaming service by Zain Kuwait

Figure 26 – A screenshot showing the Melita Malta 5G plans

Figure 27 – A screenshot showing T-Mobile Netherlands recently launched Premium 5G plan

Figure 28 – A screenshot showing the Spark New Zealand’s top priced 5G plans

Figure 29 – A screenshot showing the StarHub Singapore 24-month 5G plans

Figure 30 – A screenshot showing the M1 Singapore True 5G SIM only deal

Figure 31 – A picture showing the Salt Switzerland PlayStation promotion 

Figure 32 – A screenshot showing the FarEasTone (Taiwan) service 

Figure 33 – A table showing the Taiwan Mobile 5G plans in TWD per month

Figure 34 – A Pie Chart showing a breakdown of the 5G plans with added-value features as a percentage of the total

Other topics covered as part of the 2021 Tariff Trend Report Series