Who is ahead in 5G? – Who's ahead at 5G?

Published on: January 29, 2019 / Updated on: January 29, 2019 – Author: Konrad Wolfenstein

Who is leading the way in 5G? The analysts at IPlytics been investigating this question. From a technological perspective, the answer can be approximated by looking at the number of patent families held. An invention can be patented worldwide – for example, in Germany, France, and the USA. This results in three patents stemming from a single invention, forming a patent family. Therefore, in patent analysis, it is generally more useful to count patent families rather than individual patents. Samsung Electronics currently holds 1,189 patent families, making it number one, at least quantitatively. Huawei is in second place – this is particularly interesting because the USA is currently attempting to exclude Chinese companies from the European and American 5G markets by accusing them of espionage.

Who has the lead at 5G? This is the question IPlytics analysts have been working on. From a technological point of view, the question can be answered approximately with the help of the patent families held. An invention can be filed as a patent worldwide – eg in Germany, France and the USA. These are then three patents that originate from an invention and represent a patent family. Therefore, in patent analysis it usually makes more sense to count patent families instead of patents. Samsung Electronics currently owns 1,189 patent families and is therefore at least quantitatively number one. In second place is Huawei – this is also interesting because the USA is currently trying to keep Chinese companies out of the European and American 5G market with accusations of espionage.

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