5.5G Enterprise Applications: Igniting a New Engine for Intelligent Operations

As Hong Kong accelerates smart city development, enterprises across industries are increasingly adopting artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), real-time video streaming and automated data analytics to improve operational efficiency and accelerate decision-making. As the number of connected devices and the volume of data processed by enterprises continue to grow, applications such as frontline video transmission and real-time data collected by IoT devices are placing significantly higher demands on mobile networks in terms of speed, capacity and reliability. Against this backdrop, 5.5G stands as the critical foundation for enterprise innovation and the next phase of intelligent operations.

 

The value of 5.5G extends well beyond faster speeds. By integrating multiple core capabilities, it delivers tangible, deployable benefits that address real operational needs. Higher transmission speeds combined with lower latency enable real-time processing of ultra-high-definition video and large volumes of data, supporting more accurate AI vision monitoring, crowd analytics and real-time operational coordination in large event venues, integrated campuses and other high-traffic environments.

 

Enhanced connection capacity further enables high-density IoT deployments, allowing large numbers of devices to operate reliably at the same time. When integrated with energy management, environmental monitoring and security systems, enterprises can improve operational efficiency while reducing management complexity and risk. In addition, ultra-low latency and high reliability support demanding applications such as remote operations, real-time drone control and immersive AR/VR training, giving enterprises greater flexibility to deploy advanced technologies across a wide range of operational scenarios.

 

With the Government actively promoting the development of the low-altitude economy, applications such as drone inspection, low-altitude logistics and delivery services are steadily moving towards real-world deployment. Operating safely in a high-density urban environment requires not only highly reliable connectivity but also precise positioning and real-time environmental awareness.

 

5.5G’s Integrated Sensing and Communication capability allows base stations to simultaneously detect the position, speed and flight trajectory of drones, supporting Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations and Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) systems. These capabilities underpin a wide range of use cases, including infrastructure inspection, urban mapping, disaster response and logistics delivery, laying a solid foundation for the long-term development of Hong Kong’s low-altitude economy.

 

 

Steve Ng, Managing Director of Commercial Group at HKT, noted that HKT continues to enhance its mobile network capabilities and has made comprehensive preparations for the 5.5G era. Relevant applications are already being progressively deployed across various scenarios, including large-scale event live streaming, campus management, integrated AI and IoT environments, as well as low-altitude economy use cases.

 

“5.5G is more than just a network upgrade. It represents a new foundation for enterprises as they pursue greater efficiency and connectivity in a data-intensive era,” Ng said.

 

As AI, IoT, low-altitude economy and smart city initiatives continue to accelerate, mobile connectivity will become a critical pillar of enterprise competitiveness. Looking ahead, HKT will continue working closely with enterprises and industry partners to extend 5.5G capabilities into more real-world scenarios, supporting businesses in building smarter and more forward-looking operating models.