In the 1980s, the first generation of mobile network, which could only carry voice, was introduced. Since then, network capabilities have steadily developed. The second generation, 2G, introduced new digital services such as text and image sharing, while the third generation, 3G, brought video calling and mobile data. Most recently, 4G was developed to support mobile internet and increased speeds for video streaming and gaming.
The latest evolution in mobile networks is 5G, set to be much faster. The technology will open up entirely new use cases enabling business quicker, more efficient way of working, travelling and consuming data. Thanks to its speed and consistency, many expect 5G to revolutionise industries in a way similar to the way the rise of the automobile and telephone have.
5G timeline
April 2018
Mid-2018
Mid-2019
October 2019
Late-2019
2020
Late-2020
The societal benefits of 5G
5G will be significantly faster than 4G, with much lower latency, meaning there will be little delay or lag when using mobile and internet-connected devices. This is essential for next-generation technologies like connected cars, smart medical devices and smart cities.
The technical benefits of 5G
5G will also have a greater capacity, meaning networks can cope with high-volume applications immediately, from virtual reality to the Internet of Things (IoT) and HD video streaming. For businesses that rely on fast and reliable network connectivity between numerous sites and data centres, 5G will open doors to completely new capabilities. 5G will provide:
- Reliability: 5G is expected to be much more reliable, meaning no dropped calls or always-available connectivity, which will allow more ‘critical’ use cases such as those related to digital health
- Flexibility: 5G networks promise to be more flexible - network slicing allows a physical network to be divided into a number of virtual networks, enabling users to engage the right ‘slice’ depending on their immediate requirements
- Greater Capacity: 5G will have greater capacity, meaning networks will be able to cope better with many high-demand applications all at once
Example use cases
While 5G connectivity is expected to unlock the ability to create, deliver and use services that are yet to be invented, it is expected to deliver tangible benefits to existing industries in the medium term.
Some anticipated outcomes of 5G technology include:
- Rural innovation: Many countries, including the UK, are hoping that 5G will better connect rural communities, opening up new opportunities and enabling more people to start businesses from home
- Increased productivity: A key advantage of 5G could be helping businesses work more quickly and more efficiently, increasing revenue, and assisting them move to more flexible working models. Through having access to this new technology, businesses will have access to a very fast and reliable internet connection
- Tailored networks: Network slicing will enable businesses to practically own their own private 5G network, set up according to precise business needs. 5G will certainly have much greater capacity across a much wider range of radio spectrum, but it will also use that spectral resource more intelligently and effectively, assigning only the resources required for each application
If 5G delivers everything it promises to, many expect its introduction to support the fourth industrial revolution, where everything is connected, processed and digitised.
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