Want FREE Templates on Strategy & Transformation? Download our FREE compilation of 50+ slides. This is an exclusive promotion being run on LinkedIn.







Flevy Management Insights Q&A
What are the implications of 5G deployment on location-based marketing and its influence on the customer decision journey?


This article provides a detailed response to: What are the implications of 5G deployment on location-based marketing and its influence on the customer decision journey? For a comprehensive understanding of Customer Decision Journey, we also include relevant case studies for further reading and links to Customer Decision Journey best practice resources.

TLDR 5G deployment revolutionizes Location-Based Marketing by enabling Real-Time Engagement, transforming Customer Insights through enhanced Data Analytics, and creating new opportunities through IoT and AR/VR, significantly influencing the Customer Decision Journey.

Reading time: 4 minutes


The deployment of 5G technology is set to revolutionize various sectors, including marketing. With its promise of faster data speeds, lower latency, and increased connectivity, 5G is poised to significantly impact location-based marketing and, consequently, the customer decision journey. This evolution will enable organizations to engage with customers in more personalized, timely, and effective ways, ultimately influencing purchasing decisions and enhancing customer experiences.

Enhancing Real-Time Engagement

One of the primary implications of 5G deployment is the ability for organizations to engage with customers in real time, leveraging location data more effectively. With 5G, the speed and accuracy of real-time data processing will improve, allowing for the delivery of personalized marketing messages at the right time and place. For instance, a customer walking past a retail store could receive a personalized promotion on their mobile device, encouraging them to visit the store. This level of immediacy and relevance in marketing efforts can significantly influence the customer's decision journey, nudging them towards a purchase they might not have otherwise considered.

According to a report by Accenture, 5G will enable new services and applications that will transform customer experiences through increased personalization and convenience. This transformation is expected to generate significant value for organizations by increasing customer engagement and loyalty. The ability to process vast amounts of data in real time will also allow organizations to gain deeper insights into customer behavior and preferences, enabling more targeted and effective marketing strategies.

Real-world examples of this are already emerging, with retailers and entertainment venues experimenting with 5G-enabled experiences. For instance, sports stadiums are using 5G to offer immersive experiences to fans, such as instant replays on their mobile devices and wayfinding services, thereby enhancing the overall customer experience and engagement.

Learn more about Customer Experience

Are you familiar with Flevy? We are you shortcut to immediate value.
Flevy provides business best practices—the same as those produced by top-tier consulting firms and used by Fortune 100 companies. Our best practice business frameworks, financial models, and templates are of the same caliber as those produced by top-tier management consulting firms, like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, and Accenture. Most were developed by seasoned executives and consultants with 20+ years of experience.

Trusted by over 10,000+ Client Organizations
Since 2012, we have provided best practices to over 10,000 businesses and organizations of all sizes, from startups and small businesses to the Fortune 100, in over 130 countries.
AT&T GE Cisco Intel IBM Coke Dell Toyota HP Nike Samsung Microsoft Astrazeneca JP Morgan KPMG Walgreens Walmart 3M Kaiser Oracle SAP Google E&Y Volvo Bosch Merck Fedex Shell Amgen Eli Lilly Roche AIG Abbott Amazon PwC T-Mobile Broadcom Bayer Pearson Titleist ConEd Pfizer NTT Data Schwab

Transforming Customer Insights through Enhanced Data Analytics

The deployment of 5G technology significantly boosts the capabilities of data analytics, offering organizations richer insights into customer behavior and preferences. The increased speed and capacity of 5G networks enable the collection and analysis of large volumes of data from various sources, including location data, in real time. This wealth of information can be used to create detailed customer profiles and predictive models, helping organizations to anticipate customer needs and tailor their marketing strategies accordingly.

For example, Gartner has highlighted the potential of 5G to enhance the Internet of Things (IoT) applications, including the ability to track customer movements and interactions in physical spaces. This could lead to more nuanced understandings of customer journeys within retail environments, enabling optimizations that can significantly influence purchasing decisions. By analyzing this data, organizations can identify patterns and trends that inform the development of more relevant and effective marketing messages.

Moreover, the integration of 5G with advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) further enhances the potential for personalized marketing. Organizations can leverage these technologies to automate the analysis of complex data sets, providing real-time insights that drive more personalized and effective marketing strategies. This level of personalization not only improves the customer experience but also increases the efficiency of marketing campaigns, leading to higher conversion rates and customer retention.

Learn more about Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Customer Journey Customer Retention Internet of Things Data Analytics

Creating New Marketing Opportunities through IoT and AR/VR

The convergence of 5G, IoT, and augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR) technologies opens up new marketing opportunities that were previously unimaginable. 5G's low latency and high bandwidth make it possible to deliver rich, immersive AR and VR experiences to consumers, creating novel ways to engage customers and influence their purchasing decisions. These experiences can range from virtual try-ons for clothing and accessories to interactive AR games that can be played in specific locations, adding a new dimension to location-based marketing.

Deloitte has discussed the potential of 5G to revolutionize retail experiences through AR and VR, suggesting that these technologies can create more engaging and interactive shopping experiences. For example, furniture stores can use AR to allow customers to visualize how products would look in their homes, providing a powerful incentive to purchase. Similarly, VR can be used to create virtual showrooms or travel experiences, offering customers a compelling preview of products or services.

Furthermore, the integration of IoT devices with 5G networks enhances the ability to collect and analyze data from a variety of sources, including wearable technology and smart home devices. This enables organizations to understand customer contexts and preferences in unprecedented detail, allowing for highly personalized marketing messages that can be delivered at the optimal moment and location. Such targeted, context-aware marketing strategies can significantly influence the customer decision journey, driving both engagement and sales.

In conclusion, the deployment of 5G technology represents a significant leap forward for location-based marketing, offering organizations new tools to engage customers, gain insights, and create immersive experiences. As 5G networks become more widespread, organizations that adapt quickly and integrate these capabilities into their marketing strategies will gain a competitive edge, enhancing customer satisfaction and driving business growth.

Learn more about Customer Decision Journey Customer Satisfaction Augmented Reality

Best Practices in Customer Decision Journey

Here are best practices relevant to Customer Decision Journey from the Flevy Marketplace. View all our Customer Decision Journey materials here.

Did you know?
The average daily rate of a McKinsey consultant is $6,625 (not including expenses). The average price of a Flevy document is $65.

Explore all of our best practices in: Customer Decision Journey

Customer Decision Journey Case Studies

For a practical understanding of Customer Decision Journey, take a look at these case studies.

Enhancing Consumer Decision Journey for Global Retail Company

Scenario: An international retail organization is grappling with navigating the current complexities of the Consumer Decision Journey (CDJ).

Read Full Case Study

Industrial Equipment Customer Journey Revamp in Competitive Landscape

Scenario: The organization in question operates within the industrials sector, manufacturing specialized equipment for large-scale construction projects.

Read Full Case Study

Digital Transformation Strategy for Construction Firm in Southeast Asia

Scenario: A Southeast Asian construction firm is facing challenges in adapting to the digital era, impacting its consumer decision journey.

Read Full Case Study

Innovative Customer Journey Strategy for Specialty Bike Retailer

Scenario: A specialty bike retailer, operating regionally with a focus on high-end cycling equipment, is facing challenges in optimizing its customer journey.

Read Full Case Study

Digital Customer Journey Transformation for Retail Apparel in Competitive Market

Scenario: A mid-sized retail company specializing in apparel is struggling to understand and optimize its Customer Decision Journey, particularly in a highly competitive and digitized market.

Read Full Case Study

Operational Optimization Strategy for Rubber Products Manufacturer in Asia

Scenario: A leading rubber products manufacturer in Asia is at a critical juncture in its consumer decision journey, facing a 20% decline in customer retention rates.

Read Full Case Study


Explore all Flevy Management Case Studies

Related Questions

Here are our additional questions you may be interested in.

What are the key considerations in integrating service design thinking into the Customer Journey Mapping process?
Integrating Service Design Thinking into Customer Journey Mapping involves understanding customer needs, aligning with organizational goals, and detailed journey analysis to exceed customer expectations and drive loyalty. [Read full explanation]
How can companies ensure a seamless omnichannel experience throughout the customer decision journey?
Achieving a seamless omnichannel experience demands understanding the Customer Decision Journey, integrating Technology and Channels, creating a Culture of Customer Centricity, and Continuous Improvement. [Read full explanation]
How does fostering a customer-centric corporate culture influence the effectiveness of Customer Journey Mapping?
A customer-centric corporate culture significantly improves the effectiveness of Customer Journey Mapping by ensuring accurate, empathetic insights and fostering cross-functional collaboration. [Read full explanation]
In what ways can the alignment of internal teams around the customer journey enhance overall business performance?
Aligning internal teams around the Customer Journey enhances Business Performance by improving Customer Satisfaction, driving Operational Efficiency, fostering Innovation, and boosting Revenue Growth and Market Position. [Read full explanation]
What strategies can organizations use to integrate Customer Journey Mapping into their digital transformation initiatives?
Organizations can integrate Customer Journey Mapping into Digital Transformation by aligning it with Strategic Objectives, forming Cross-functional Teams, leveraging Technology, and adopting Continuous Feedback Loops, Agile Implementation, and a Customer-centric Culture to improve Customer Experience and drive Business Growth. [Read full explanation]
What are the key considerations for integrating emerging mobile technologies into Customer Journey Mapping to enhance customer engagement?
Integrating emerging mobile technologies into Customer Journey Mapping involves understanding mobile usage patterns, leveraging mobile-specific features like geolocation and push notifications, and ensuring a seamless Omnichannel Experience to significantly improve customer engagement. [Read full explanation]
How does service design thinking influence the customization of the customer journey in luxury markets?
Service Design Thinking customizes luxury customer journeys by integrating empathy, co-creation, and iterative design to deliver personalized, memorable experiences that drive satisfaction and loyalty. [Read full explanation]
What are the critical elements of a mobile strategy that ensures a seamless and engaging customer journey?
A successful mobile strategy requires exceptional UX design, data-driven personalization, and omnichannel consistency to ensure a seamless and engaging customer journey. [Read full explanation]

Source: Executive Q&A: Customer Decision Journey Questions, Flevy Management Insights, 2024


Flevy is the world's largest knowledge base of best practices.


Leverage the Experience of Experts.

Find documents of the same caliber as those used by top-tier consulting firms, like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, Accenture.

Download Immediately and Use.

Our PowerPoint presentations, Excel workbooks, and Word documents are completely customizable, including rebrandable.

Save Time, Effort, and Money.

Save yourself and your employees countless hours. Use that time to work on more value-added and fulfilling activities.




Read Customer Testimonials



Download our FREE Strategy & Transformation Framework Templates

Download our free compilation of 50+ Strategy & Transformation slides and templates. Frameworks include McKinsey 7-S Strategy Model, Balanced Scorecard, Disruptive Innovation, BCG Experience Curve, and many more.