When it comes to phones.
New research from Roy Morgan shows that while a majority of Australians are aware of the new 5G technology and would consider using 5G as an alternative to the NBN, fewer than half of those surveyed would seriously consider buying a 5G phone.
The Roy Morgan web survey showed that while over 9-in-10 Australians were aware of 5G technology only around a quarter of Australians aware of 5G were ready to switch mobile phone or internet providers to get 5G today, CEO Michele Levine said.
“The new 5G technology has long been hailed as a significant upgrade to the communications infrastructure we all use every day via our mobile phones or devices. The faster speeds, greater bandwidth and new features that will be available via 5G enabled devices will enable the inter-connectivity known as the ‘Internet of things’ (IoT) to become reality rather than science fiction,” she said.
“At present, the Australians most likely to consider buying a 5G phone tend to be aged 25-34 years old, with a personal income of over $50,000 per annum and living in a capital city. Those more likely to switch providers to get 5G are more likely to be with Optus or TPG.”
Most importantly in an Australian context is the possibility that 5G enabled devices could supplant the National Broadband Network (NBN) as consumers seek fast and cheap access to the internet.
“Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Chair (ACCC) Rod Sims has flagged 5G networks as a good competitive threat to bring down wholesale prices of the NBN and already a majority of Australians aware of 5G said they would consider using 5G as an alternative to the NBN.”
Although 5G has a great deal of promise for the near future, issued raised include potential health concerns, risks to data security, and the reliability of new 5G devices, that while offering new capabilities, are likely to wear out batteries at much faster rates than existing 4G enabled devices.