5G has become quite a phenomenon as the latest of mobile network generations with upgraded features than its predecessors. The gigabit speeds, as measured with 5G testing, unveiled why it’s one of the best innovations in today’s digital world.
But to measure the success of 5G in our lives, we’ll have to look at various aspects: from its creation to workability and the effects it has in various industries. So, let’s get started.
Understanding 5G
As mentioned earlier, the Fifth Generation, or 5G, is the latest of the generations of mobile networks. Previously, we had 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, and 4G LTE, each with its own set of features and abilities.
| Generation | Technology standard | Radio access technology |
| 1G – First Generation | AMPS, NMT, TACS, J-TACS, C-Netz | FDMA |
| 2G – Second Generation | GSM, D-AMPS, IS-95 | Combination of TDMA & FDMA, and Narrowband CDMA |
| 3G – Third Generation | UMTS (WCDMA) and CDMA2000 | Wideband CDMA and Narrowband CDMA |
| 4G – Fourth Generation | LTE (Long Term Evolution) | OFDMA and SC-FDMA |
| 5G – Fifth Generation | NR (New Radio) | OFDMA |
What Technology 5G Uses?
5G uses New Radio (NR) technology for its networks. This technology is based on Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) modulation scheme. OFDMA allows low-data-rate transmission for several users connected to the 5G network.
The use of OFDMA allows 5G to operate at various frequency bands; however, at higher frequency bands, the coverage gets limited.
The Three Pillars of 5G
Whenever a 5G network is to be established, it considers three main use classes, including:
- Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB)
- Massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC)
- Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communications (uRLLC)
These 3 determine the building blocks for any 5G network, including:
- Delivering high broadband speed
- Deployment of low-powered IoT devices
- Low latency communication
With these use cases, 5G technology not only addresses everyday use cases deployed by 4G/ 4G LTE, 3G, and other technologies but by enterprise-level use cases. These use cases are altered according to the needs of the end-users i.e., flexible bandwidth, more speed, etc.
5G and Everyday Life
While the industries are and can benefit from the use of 5G, here’s how it can and will help in our everyday lives:
Faster & Reliable Connectivity
One of the best reasons why 5G is great for everyday connectivity is the fast speeds it provides. For instance, with 4G, users are able to get between 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps speed. With 5G, this goes as high as 20 Gbps in ideal conditions, making 4K streaming, IoT integrations, multiplayer gaming, and downloading a breeze.
Enhanced Mobile Connectivity
With 5G connectivity, users can stay connected on the go. It allows users to get an enhanced mobile internet experience that would allow them to interact via video calls, use AR apps, and enjoy gaming without any hassle.
Several internet providers offer 5G internet mobile plans to cater to the needs of the users. For instance, Spectrum 5G is readily available to users with its high speed and no contract offers. If you have subscribed to any of the Spectrum Internet plans, you can add Spectrum 5G to enjoy superfast connectivity on the go.
Real-Time Healthcare Solutions
As highlighted earlier, with 5G, healthcare physicians will be able to monitor the patient’s health in real-time.
Moreover, in case of an emergency, the physician can provide remote assistance as much as possible and can even book a nearby facility for catering to the patient. The data collected from the patients can be used for diagnosing medical issues beforehand.
Autonomous Vehicle Advancement
While we’ve already seen how amazing autonomous technology is in terms of vehicle operations, we can expect this to grow by manifolds. From regulating the drive with constant data fetched in real-time to automating maintenance, 5G can improve the overall driving experience for everyone.
In addition, the vehicles can pre-determine the best route for the drivers, navigate through congestion, and make split-second decisions based on the traffic movements.
Smart Infrastructure
From energy efficiency to traffic flow control, and enhanced surveillance to better shopping experiences, 5G can contribute to creating smart cities and setting up smart infrastructure. With seamless connectivity, the administration can gather necessary data and make improvements wherever needed.
This would allow incorporating the needs of the citizens as well as taking necessary steps to create a satisfying, safe, and convenient lifestyle for the community
5G and Industries
Well, understanding how mobile networks, especially 5G, work isn’t something you can learn in just a day. However, we can see how 5G technology is implemented in various industries. Here are the top 6 industries that are benefiting from 5G application:
Healthcare
The healthcare industry is one of the biggest beneficiaries of 5G implementation. Depending upon the domains that it’s used, healthcare providers (HCPs) have seen immense growth in work efficiency and patient dealing.
For starters, HCPs can track costly equipment as well as monitor movements around the hospital with real-time synchronization of the data across connected databases.
Pharma companies can easily track the progress of their clinical trials with data acquired from the patients in real-time. This speeds up the trial’s timeline, allowing companies to acquire results faster, and avoid unnecessary delays and expenses.
Virtual consultations are one of the many advantages of 5G in the healthcare industry. They enable communication and collaboration between the physician and the patient. This also allows the physician to remotely monitor the patient’s health, especially in the case of the elderly.
While the physicians provide video consultations, they can also conduct educational sessions online for bigger audiences. This also helps physicians deal with visually impaired patients by allowing them to connect via AR/ VR headsets.
Fintech
The Fintech industry is one of the most connected fields with 5G since its performance revolves around the performance of the network. With 5G, Fintech is experiencing growth in many ways.
For starters, mobile banking is way more efficient with 5G connectivity. Data from the bank’s database is integrated seamlessly with the mobile accounts of the users, and it provides real-time digital payment processing.
Moreover, with 5G applications, banks can easily integrate AR/VR communications for their clients. People can connect to a quick call with the representative without visiting the bank.
With more speed, greater bandwidth, and minimal latency, the banking experience will be a breeze for the customers. Banks can also ensure high-end security for their clients as well as their digital assets to eliminate any instances of a potential breach.
Financial companies incorporating 5G technology can acquire user-based information and provide personalized experiences with products and services. This also includes automating tasks, such as payments, tracking expenses, and more.
Within the same perspective, Fintech companies can easily engage in incorporating data science to gather user data. By analyzing customer patterns, companies can help provide useful information to the users for investments and can capitalize on the returns.
Logistics
5G plays a significant role in streamlining logistic processes. From automation to connectivity, it can optimize operations. With 5G, companies can easily integrate supply chains, keeping tabs on the vehicles en route as well as on ways to minimize delivery times while managing other aspects effectively.
In addition, 5G will enable logistics to keep track of the inventories and automatically fetch inventory details to place orders when needed. Warehouse data synced with the suppliers allows each system to minimize downtime, improve delivery times and accuracy, and plan the most optimal route; all with the help of 5G.
Moreover, with enhanced connectivity, companies can keep tabs on the deliveries and can optimize routes whenever needed.
Retail
Streamlining the processes, 5G has enabled the retail industry to experience innovation in most of its processes. The most prominent is the cashier-less checkouts that are working in real-time, collecting and processing data from the users.
In addition, the 5G application can enable the use of AR/ VR integrations within the stores. This would allow the users to get details of any product on their smartphone. From reviews to material, ingredients, and more, all of this information can be fetched via a dedicated mobile app through 5G.
Moreover, just like in logistics, retail stores can integrate 5G with IoTs to get real-time updates on the inventory and initiate orders without delays. Moreover, with the use of inventory, store managers and brands can gather information on consumer purchase patterns, enabling them to stock the hot-selling products for enhanced sales.
Manufacturing
With 5G, the manufacturing industry can implement several structural changes within the existing systems. The foremost is the enhanced communication between the systems installed within the units that are not prone to interferences, such as metals, steels, sheets, etc.
In addition, manufacturing units can benefit from 5G implementation by enhancing automation within the unit. For instance, if the assembly line is implementing automation, it can utilize 5G to enable Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning resources to operate without any network issues.
Furthermore, any changes within the automated instances can easily be done remotely via centralized systems, boosting the overall workability. When this is done, the added automation can also enhance inventory management for the machinery, ensuring that the required maintenance is done promptly.
Moreover, instead of spreading acres of wiring for network connectivity, the machinery and systems can be connected using 5G connectivity. This not only improves connectivity but also reduces the infrastructure costs for the plant.
Agriculture
One of the core pillars of 5G is to ensure low-cost IoT implementation, and the agriculture industry is another industry that can benefit from mass-scale 5G implementation. For starters, farmers can harness 5G to collect real-time information on the animals via sensors. This would enable the farmers to get effective information on the health and well-being of the animals.
Moreover, the use of IoTs can help monitor the crops as well as get definite data regarding plantation and growth. This would also help streamline inventory such as ordering fertilizers, and provide an insight into the crop’s health, reducing crop waste.
Aerofarms, a 5G technology provider, has enabled drone farming, where drones are used for monitoring the crops and the data fetched is processed using the cloud. All of this is done through 5G connectivity.
Challenges in 5G Implementation
While 5G holds great potential and brings revolutionary change in every field, several hurdles pose a challenge in its implementation. This includes but isn’t limited to:
- Frequency Band Availability
- Antenna and base station setup
- Sophisticated operating models
- Deployment strategy
- Lack of skilled professionals.
Nevertheless, the 5G application is a game changer, and when implemented globally, it can change the entire digital world with its fast speed connectivity, greater bandwidth, and reliable performance.