How 5G will transform the use of technology in key business areas?

Advancement in network speed is not something that the world requires only now. It has been there since the word “network” came into existence. Otherwise, our network would never have evolved from 2G to 4G, and live streaming would still be a distant reality for most of us. However, it cannot be denied that amplification in network speeds has never been as much needed as it is now. Industrially, the massive amount of data that generates today, we need to transfer it at distances quickly for the smooth functioning of core business operations. And while we're gradually transcending towards 5G, we are still very far behind.

The current 5G network speeds that the users get even in countries like the USA or S Korea is only a few bumps higher than 4G, according to various surveys. Hence, there's still a long way to go before we can fully explore the merits 5G brings with itself. But when that happens, it will definitely change the scenario of how the work happens in terms of networks. 5G’s Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC) will cater to mission-critical apps. Enhanced Mobile Broadband can ensure connectivity in high dense areas. The Massive Machine-Type Communications will give the power to connect billions of IoT devices.

Here are a few business areas that the advent of the "real" 5G will transform:

Automobile Industry

The fifth-generation technology will make self-driving cars a reality for everyone. These cars generate as much as 25GB of data in a single ride and it needs real-time sharing. Sharing this much data on the current networks is next to impossible; even experimenting it would be hazardous. The industry will also witness the rise of connected vehicles.

IoT

When it comes to the Internet of Things, a network is an inseparable component. IoT devices are the future of the technology industry. Today, approximately 1 billion IoT devices are being used and the number is soon going to ramp up to 2 billion. Successful implementation of IoT devices depends on the speed of their communication. The current 4G networks have latency issues and thus hinder the proper functioning of these devices. 5G has the capacity to handle these the network requirements of IoT devices.

Farming

It is hard to think of a sector where technology is not playing a key role. In farming, there have been multiple innovations to boost productivity in farms. India’s agritech business is growing 25% on YoY basis. It is expected to grow up to $24.1 billion in the next five years. Fields are equipped with sensors for soil monitoring, crop monitoring, water management and smart irrigation. Farmers are also engaging in drone-based farm management to ensure better productivity. If these farms are equipped with 5G, the process of managing will improve multiple times as these drones will be able to transfer data in real-time.

Real Estate

Real estate had always been obscure from the impact of technology. When the COVID-19 pandemic caused havoc on the businesses, this sector faced the most impact. While it is true to some extent, the effect is not as bad as it was foreseen – all thanks to innovations in AR and VR. Augmented and virtual reality tours made it easier for customers to virtually visit properties, complying to all the safety norms.

Unfortunately, the latency issues in the 4G network did not make the experience very satisfying. In the new normal, virtual visits will be a reality and not only in real estate but also in shopping etc. 5G’s control over latency will enable people to leverage full advantages of AR and VR. 5G will also ensure the smooth functioning of various stages involved in designing.

Healthcare

The use of telemedicine has increased multifold. Unlike traditional records storage that happened in physical files, the storage of patient records now happens in online databases. These records often require inter-departmental transfers. 5G can be used here to enable quick transfers of large files including CT scans, MRI scans etc. 5G in healthcare is of utmost importance because here the delay in the transfer can even lead to the critical complications in patient’s health.

Apart from this, scientists are also exploring ways for remote surgeries using AI, VR and other advanced technologies. These innovations cannot be implemented using the current network bandwidth and hence 5G is the need of the hour!

The author of the article is Mansi Mishra, Cybermedia.