Exhibition News January 2020 | Page 27

Sector Focus half effectively doubling the screen size. Foldable phones open up new opportunities for people on the go, creating devices that improve mobile computing. 5G Despite 5G making its debut in 2019 in the UK only a small number of phones (approx. 50k) were shipped. This number is forecast to grow to 2-3m by the end of 2020. 5G will be used for truly mobile connectivity, mainly by devices such as smartphones. 5G will be used to connect “ ‘less mobile’ devices, mainly 5G modems or hotspots: dedicated wireless access devices, small enough to be mobile, that will connect to the 5G network and then connect to other devices over Wi-Fi technology. 5G is the connectivity technology of the future – even if its adoption curve may be relatively low in the next 12 to 24 months. It will likely take years for 5G to replicate 4G’s marketplace dominance, in the same way that it took several years for 4G to displace 3G. Cameras Significantly improved photography is a growing trend in smartphones. 2019 saw the introduction of phones using triple cameras creating greater depth of focus and sharper contrast. The number of cameras on smartphones is expected to rise and we could see as many as five or even nine camera “Every year we have more conference streams, and a total sell-out of tickets and exhibition space.” how to support digital growth. Total Telcom, MD, Rob Chambers explains: “Connected Britain just gets stronger and stronger and has become the definitive platform for all the critical discussion points in moving the UK network forward. Every year we have more conference streams, and a total sell-out of tickets and exhibition space.” 5G Expo (March 2020, Olympia London) organised by Encore Media Group is the only other major, large- scale exhibition dedicated to the mobile market. Like many other events, it covers other parts of the digital markets that are unsettled and undefined as technologies emerge. The event attracts key industry players from across the globe and the show prides itself on its speaker line-up and real-life examples within the dedicated conference. The event attracts 9,000 attendees including CTO’s, heads of innovation and technology, IT directors, telecom providers, developers and government. Talks include; 5G Latency, Network Slicing, Big Data & AI in 5G. 5G Expo, marketing manager, David Eyre, said: “At the 5G Expo we help attendees move beyond the 5G hype and understand early learnings from market leading brands and 5g providers. We aim to share best practice on all things 5G from deployment modes, infrastructure and converging technologies, to future connectivity and urban applications. With major industry leaders as Vodafone, BBC, Three and BT discussing connectivity, application and what the future of 5G means to them.” Informa Tech provides specialist research, media, events and training to businesses and professionals working in technology. Their biggest event for Informa in the mobile telco market is ConnectTech Asia (CTA) with over 35,000 visitors and is widely regarded as a major show in the event calendar. Event director Ivan Ferrari explains: “CTA is one of the largest events of its kind in Asia, and the only January — 27