5G Could Create 16M American Jobs Within 4 Years: Study

SAN DIEGO, CA — A new study found that 5G has the potential to create or transform up to 16 million American jobs within the next four years. The jobs could generate up to $1.5 trillion in U.S. gross domestic product by 2025, according to the study by Accenture and commissioned by San Diego-based Qualcomm.

In another study commissioned by Qualcomm, IHS Markit researchers found that the growth trajectory of sales enabled by 5G remains virtually unchanged despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

The increase was attributed to unprecedented demand for both 5G network infrastructure and devices, along with the realization that 5G will transform industries across the board, including health care and education, according to the IHS Markit 2020 5G Economy Study. Digital transformation of industries that would typically take several years to complete are being accelerated dramatically.

"IHS Markit's findings in their latest report confirm what we are seeing in the market -strong momentum in both the deployment of and demand for 5G around the world," Cristiano Amon, president of Qualcomm Incorporated, said in a news release.

"Not only has 5G proven to be resilient in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is proving to be the technology at the heart of the digital transformation across industries."

• Also see: Study: San Diego County Could Gain 52,700 5G-Related Jobs By 2030