In an exclusive interview with Telecom Review, Dr. Lidia Stępińska-Ustasiak, Public Affairs Advisor, Polish Chamber of Commerce for Electronics and Telecommunications, discussed the social implications of 5G networks and the transformational forces driving the telecommunications sector.
Can you elaborate on the social implications of 5G communication networks in conjunction with other connectivity solutions?
5G, is, in fact, the first generation of connectivity that holds numerous promises and raises hopes across various sectors, including its potential for social impact. When we talk about concrete effects, 5G can contribute to at least 11 areas, correlated with at least 11 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) defined by the United Nations. This value derives from many innovations; from the areas of healthcare to better and more sustainable agriculture to industrialization and many other different areas. Other key areas in which social value is created through 5G include contributing to responsible consumption, enabling sustainable cities and communities, and promoting decent work and economic growth. This change has already started to happen, and we will soon observe new implications and new applications in a societal dimension of technological impact.
What do you claim to be the primary force behind the telecommunication sector's growth, transformation, and competitive advantage?
I think the most important driving force behind the growth of the telecommunications sector will be the transition from telcos to techcos. Telecoms will be more focused on responsible and effective applications of AI on innovations, new business models, agility, and new investment models. A strategically important part of this transformation will be the application of AI in telecommunications in various areas, like network optimization by efficiently managing network traffic and routing, analysis, and management of data traffic patterns to ensure optimal resource allocation, reduce latency, and improve the user experience or save energy. AI will also significantly improve the customer experience. Additionally, telecoms can establish supplementary revenue channels by exploring untapped business niches. The result— telecoms will be more focused on new services and innovation.
In light of your involvement in the Polish Chamber of Commerce for Electronics and Telecommunications, what do you consider to be Poland's most significant initiative in support of digital transformation?
As a member state of the European Union, Poland aligns with the Digital Decade 2030 targets outlined by the European Commission. This strategy revolves around key pillars, including digital skills, high-quality connectivity and infrastructure, E-government, and the adoption of new technologies by SMEs. In this context, we identify, as Europe, a huge investment gap at approximately 174 billion. It is a crucial challenge, and we need to explore innovative investment models in the telecommunications sector. Involving other market players, such as hyperscalers, could contribute significantly to infrastructure development, offering societal and economic benefits.
The industry has a significant opportunity to increase the number of women working in ICT. Can you share your viewpoint on gender equality in ICT?
I have observed during the Telecom Review Leaders’ Summit, almost everyone is perfectly aware that women's involvement in ICT is a very important issue. But in an era of rapid development and artificial intelligence, we have to take into consideration that the participation of women in AI development is strategically important. This is because generative AI learns from users, and recent studies show that only 35% of women use artificial intelligence at work, whereas in the case of men, it is more than 50%. So, we have to bridge this gap otherwise artificial intelligence will create a digital environment without women.
