5G is rapidly transforming how we connect, communicate, and innovate. With global rollout accelerating over the last few years, the next-generation mobile network is poised to reach a mature deployment stage by 2025. In this insightful episode of the Analytics Insight Podcast, host Priya Dialani speaks with Chip Strange, Chief Strategy Officer at OOKLA, about why measuring the quality of experience (QoE) is critical—not just for today’s users, but for the future of digital infrastructure.
As 5G scales across continents and industries, the conversation shifts from deployment to performance. Strange shares how the technology is unlocking new opportunities while presenting fresh challenges in both consumer and enterprise environments.
5G isn’t just about blazing-fast download speeds. It’s about reliability, responsiveness, and the ability to support a massive number of connected devices—from smartphones and wearables to autonomous vehicles and smart cities.
“Quality of experience means looking beyond speed tests,” explains Chip. “It’s about real-world usability—are your video calls stable? Is your smart device responding instantly? These are the metrics that matter.”
Strange emphasizes that as the global 5G market is expected to hit over $6 trillion by 2026, understanding and improving user experience is more important than ever. And that’s where OOKLA steps in.
Known for its flagship product Speedtest, OOKLA focuses on collecting and analyzing data from fixed, mobile, and Wi-Fi networks. Their clients span across the telecom ecosystem—from operators and regulators to equipment manufacturers—seeking to understand network health and optimize connectivity.
“Our mission is to give decision-makers the insight they need to improve infrastructure and customer satisfaction,” says Chip. “It’s not just about detecting problems—it’s about enabling progress.”
With 5G enabling critical technologies in sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, and finance, reliability becomes non-negotiable. Latency, coverage gaps, and network congestion can all negatively impact user experience—and by extension, innovation.
“5G opens the door to incredible advancements,” Chip notes, “but only if the experience lives up to the promise. That’s why continuous, granular monitoring is key.”
Robust quality of experience monitoring unlocks significant benefits:
Proactive service improvements: Real-time data helps providers fix issues before they impact users
Optimized investments: Insights guide better infrastructure planning
Increased trust: Transparency around performance builds stronger relationships between users and providers
Wider adoption: Reliable experience encourages faster uptake across industries
As Chip puts it, “We’re not just talking about better technology—we’re talking about better lives connected by it.”
As 5G cements itself as the backbone of future connectivity, measuring quality of experience will be essential for its long-term success. Companies like OOKLA are leading the charge—ensuring that as networks evolve, the user experience evolves with them.
“The network of the future isn’t just fast—it’s dependable, inclusive, and user-focused,” Chip concludes, adding, “And we’re here to make sure it delivers on that promise.”