There is broad agreement about the transformative nature of enhanced 5G mobile broadband services, driven by
- satellite communications to expand coverage
- universal smartphone usage and growth of video (including live streaming) forecasted to account for more than 50% of mobile traffic by 2022
- automation, Internet of Things and big data, accelerating the transformation of whole industries with new growth opportunities and cost efficiencies
Though projections are always clouded in uncertainty, significantly faster mobile broadband speeds and increasingly extensive mobile data of 5G will probably allow a breakthrough
- in industrial automation and robotics
- in big data and artificial intelligence
- in driverless cars
- in live streaming on smart phones
With growth opportunities in network infrastructure businesses, in edge devices and in services, the magnitude - and the time frame - of the 5G transformation along the value chain remains undecided
Pure- play 5G ETFs such as Defiance Next Gen Connectivity ETF (FIVG), First Trust Indxx NextG ETF (NXTG) or Esoterica NextG Economy ETF (WUGI) have weighted their holdings by category to offer a fair exposure to the entire 5G universe
Our 5G themes take a different, focused approach with a selection of companies believed to be representative at each node of the value chain, setting apart
- Network Semiconductor Solutions
- Infrastructure Deployment, including cell tower REITs, contractors and telecom equipment providers
- Satellite Communications
- 5G Services (wireless services and more)
A special theme listing ETFs with 5G holdings will be included as well

