Video Interview: How AI and Automation Are Reshaping 5G Network Performance

As operators continue to invest heavily in 5G, many are still searching for ways to translate that spend into measurable returns. In this interview, Shaun McCarthy, president and chief revenue officer at Spectrum Effect, explains why interference management and spectrum utilization remain among the most complex challenges in the radio access network. He outlines how Spectrum Effect uses the RAN as a sensor, applying machine learning and AI to analyze network data and drive real-time actions that improve performance, efficiency and user experience across large-scale deployments.

McCarthy also shares how the role of AI in telecom is evolving beyond trials and pilots into day-to-day operations. He highlights two critical paths: using AI to deliver actionable insights that empower engineering teams, and leveraging closed-loop automation to resolve network issues autonomously. As operators shift focus from overanalyzing ROI to deploying and scaling AI-driven solutions, McCarthy sees growing opportunities for monetizing 5G through enterprise use cases, spectrum coexistence and edge-based AI. The message is clear: moving faster, deploying sooner and iterating at scale will define the next phase of 5G success.