By: Theadora Cericos Malvar, Content Writer
The new kind of internet keeps people on a buzz, especially businesses. Businesses of all sizes want to know how 5G is being used today, which use cases will be advantageous to them, and how they should incorporate it into their growth. Some even wonder if businesses can use it or just for consumers.
Both businesses and consumers can get in the 5G game. Some companies are starting to feel the effects of it, and it is just the beginning.
According to Jason Leigh, Senior Analyst, IDC, for businesses, 5G is the starting point for a brand-new era. Still, for it to realize its full potential, several other technologies must come together.
Why 5G
In addition to enhancing a developing "smart" ecosystem for enterprises, 5G will also improve and supplement previous networking technologies as new capabilities, like the below, become available.
User Experience
The value proposition of 5G is perfectly executed in this equation: Latency + security + reliability + speed = better user experience.
Speeds quicken, end-to-end latency becomes less, and capacity increases as these networks mature throughout time, allowing businesses to achieve true wireless flexibility while still having that consistent performance found in wired networks. This enables them to collect data and information, connect with other companies and customers, and innovate in new ways, introducing a new standard in the convergence of applications, cloud, data, and network.
The Power Behind the "Smart" Universe
Business needs are known for being more challenging than consumer or individual needs. Big or small, businesses should consider turning to enterprise-grade sensors and IoT for unique device needs, such as asset management trackers, robots, and personal protection equipment.
By using "smart" technology, businesses and corporations can receive insights into both business and customer demands in almost real-time, which can be leveraged to boost efficiency, productivity, and profits.
With the addition of 5G to current 4G network topologies, along with other next-generation technologies like Internet of Things (IoT) devices and edge capabilities, more feature- and function-rich user experiences are made possible in every branch of an organization.
5G and Wi-Fi Connection
Compared to fixed Wi-Fi, 5G's cellular technology offers a more excellent range and a wider variety of spectrum types (licensed versus unlicensed, low, mid, high, and mmWave bands). But Wi-Fi isn't being replaced by 5G. Wi-Fi (or LTE, for that matter) can answer use cases for today while offering a prepared paradigm for the future. Businesses should consider how these two connectivity types could coexist in their settings as the default options.
Wi-Fi and 5G will coexist and become crucial to numerous 5G use cases. Fusing the two technologies might create a backbone radio network for offices, businesses, and campuses.
What does this entail for businesses? They can permit the kind of connectivity they require to improve desired outcomes. However, spectrum must be used as effectively as feasible to accomplish this in a wireless environment. Private cellular as a local area network (LAN) technology combined with various Wi-Fi configurations is a developing trend. This change may return part of the spectrum Wi-Fi once had, giving customers more spectrum for the now while ensuring the networks they'll need in the future are prepared.
Because it was born in a cloud, 5G allows a merge between cloud, wired, and wireless connections into a whole. This way, regardless of what type of access users require, they experience almost the same thing.
Industries Being Transformed by 5G
Adding 5G technologies to current network architectures will modernize today's businesses and cause a shift in various industries. Many companies are already experimenting with 5G technologies and network configurations to attain better results. Here are some examples:
Financial Services
With 5G, banks and other financial institutions can offer cutting-edge services like wearable technology, quick and highly secure data transfers, and AI-powered financial recommendation software. Future networks' low latency, high data capacity, and high dependability will contribute to developing a new service delivery platform virtually wherever the client is situated.
Retail
Retail businesses demand a network that can handle the quantity of data required as new trends and customization are redefining what many customers expect when they enter a property. New services that many stores are starting to provide, like VR and AR, futuristic dressing rooms, and personalized upgrades to the hospitality sector, can be powered by adding 5G technology to existing network infrastructure.
Transportation
The possibility for improved visibility and control over transportation networks is offered by 5G technology. Low latency, large capacity, and high reliability can enhance the movement of people and products. The adoption of 5G will eventually help standardize network protocols, enhance security and dependability, and offer end-to-end connections throughout cities and beyond.
Healthcare
The use of data, its security, and its transfer all continue to grow as healthcare businesses innovate and digitize processes. Regarding telemedicine, artificial intelligence, and massive data transmission, 5G will eventually assist hospitals and other healthcare providers meet these rising needs (AI). Due to its lower latency and highly reliable nature, 5G will also help medical personnel "see" better and engage with more patients electronically.
Manufacturing
Future smart factories will be covered in sensors that each keep an eye on a different aspect of the workplace. Additionally, connected tools will be included, which use data from accelerometers and location to identify where and how they are being used and direct workers accordingly. Due to the requirement for data ownership models to scale with Industry 4.0—a term characterizing the technology, research, and development in automation, process industrial IT, and manufacturing technologies—many industrial areas have been early adopters of this. To support manufacturers in these settings, 5G's high capacity, wireless flexibility, and decreased latency performance make it a strong choice. Advanced manufacturing facilities use robotic equipment and automated procedures throughout the production process. To increase production, 5G and similar technologies can enable widespread, near-real-time monitoring and preventative maintenance of factory automation systems. Remote factory automation equipment monitoring is demonstrated through an automated material handling system with IoT sensors and 4K wireless cameras. This automation might fully complement 5G devices to gather crucial information on acceleration, position, temperature, humidity, and gas flow rates.
Due to 5G's shorter latency, safety may also benefit as vital information may reach emergency responders more quickly.
A Look Into the Future
The full potential of 5G rests in how and where it is combined with other technologies for digital transformation.
By 2025, the impact of 5G on various industries will further accelerate as it matures. It is predicted that 5G using a sub-6 GHz spectrum will eventually offer average download rates of 400+ Mbps while decreasing latency. Thus, data-intensive operations and applications can respond more quickly than ever. Divergent networks and solutions might merge to form a single entity. Additionally, it can assist in providing organizations of all sizes with the enterprise-grade bandwidth, latency, and computing capacity they need to make the most of a range of developing technologies.