5G is coming. With the promise of faster, boundless connectivity, this next-generation mobile technology is set to revolutionize the digital economy and accelerate innovation for businesses. And the world’s mobile operators will make it all work. From extensive 5G readiness tests and trials of today to commercial network deployments of tomorrow, operators will pioneer the way to faster, smarter and more flexible connectivity for everyone.

The ink is still drying on details and standards—but that doesn’t mean you can’t start preparing. Here are our recommendations for mobile operators to stay one step ahead of the 5G future.

The Tipping Point

The sheer volume of devices entering the connected ecosystem today is nothing short of amazing. The GSMA now reports there are almost 9 billion mobile connections, and more being added every minute. That means there are more wireless connections now than people on the planet. As you can imagine, the massive bandwidth required to support this level of connectivity is astronomical.

That’s where 5G comes in. Built with ultra-low latency, speed, and capacity, 5G networks will be able to handle large volumes of data for industries like healthcare and automotive that demand instant connectivity between devices, people, and things. This will open new revenue streams for operators and deliver advanced wireless connectivity to businesses that have specific business needs. It’s a win-win for everyone.

Don’t Forget 4G Just Yet

While it’s exciting to think of the seemingly limitless possibilities of 5G, the hype about 5G today creates the impression that these networks will be deployed overnight. The truth is, it’ll be more of a crawl-walk-run process. Multiple network generations will have to work together to power seamless connectivity between the internet of things (IoT) and other devices in the immediate future.

Specifically, 4G LTE networks will continue to provide coverage and service continuity as 5G networks emerge. 4G LTE has been proven to be fully equipped to handle current and near-future device needs. Mobile operators should continue prioritizing the completion of their 4G LTE deployments to reach a maximum number of LTE networks and offer the widest coverage for their users. 5G networks will handle the rest once launched. 5G’s speed, bandwidth, low-latency, and reliability will fuel a new generation of cutting-edge technologies such as IoT and intelligent automation, which will revolutionize the market as well as the user experience.

What else can operators start to prepare for now? They can ensure interoperability across network generations, network technologies and roaming partners. It will be important to have Voice over LTE (VoLTE) deployed for a seamless voice experience between 5G and 4G. Operators can also maximize their interconnection footprint to break down barriers between geographies. Many 5G use cases will be global in nature, so businesses will need to ensure seamless quality of service once their users, devices, and things begin roaming from their home 5G network.

It’ll be a while before 5G works out its sea legs. Complete the build-out of your 4G LTE network initiatives today to lay the foundation for the boundless 5G connectivity of tomorrow.

Look to the Future

The widespread deployment of 5G will be well worth the wait. Mobile users across the globe will gain faster connection speeds that support a range of new devices. Businesses will bring smarter, innovative services to the market for IoT. And mobile operators will solidify their position in the value chain of next-generation connectivity.

Syniverse can help improve your 5G readiness. As a global provider of market-leading mobile solutions that simplify interoperability and interconnectivity complexities across generations of networks, we’ll make sure the transition to 5G is as smooth as possible.

The future of connectivity is bright. To seize this future, mobile operators must continue to build out their 4G LTE networks now to prepare for the full-scale 5G revolution. An exciting age of new partnership and revenue opportunities awaits.