If you’re in the technology field (in fact, if you’re in any business that relies on digital technology), you’ve probably heard the buzz about 5G. The latest high-speed cellular network standards are poised to transform wireless connectivity as we know it and usher in a new era of digital transformation.
However, as with any new technology, it’s wise to take a step back and consider the pros and cons before implementing it in earnest. In this article, we will take a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of his 5G network based on the information. Decisions for your business.
What is 5G?
5G (fifth generation mobile technology) is a new standard for mobile phone networks. First released by mobile carriers in 2019, the network relies on radio frequencies for data transmission, similar to previous 3G, 4G, and 4G LTE networks. However, improvements in latency and bandwidth bring certain benefits to 5G, including super-fast download and upload speeds, improved connectivity, and increased reliability.
Why is 5G important?
In the four years since its arrival on the market, 5G has been widely touted as a disruptive technology capable of transformation on the scale of artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and machine learning (ML). With the expansion of mobile broadband technology, the amount of data generated every day is rapidly increasing beyond what 3G and 4G network infrastructure can handle. The arrival of 5G means faster download and upload times, higher bandwidth, and the ability to process larger amounts of data.
Advantages of 5G technology
In addition to faster speeds and upload/download times, there are some important differences between 5G and 3G/4G networks that are worth noting.
Small physical footprint
5G uses smaller transmitters than previous versions, so they can be placed individually on top of buildings, in trees, and other remote locations. The cells (or “small cells”) that wireless networks rely on for connectivity will also be smaller in 5G networks and require less power to operate.
Reduced error rate
5G’s adaptive modulation and coding scheme (MCS), the schematic for transmitting data from WiFi devices, is superior to the MCS used in 4G and 3G. As a result, the block error rate (BER), which is used to measure the frequency of errors in a network, is very low. In 5G networks, when the BER increases to a certain level, the transmitter reduces the connection speed until the error rate decreases. Essentially, 5G networks trade speed for real-time accuracy, so the BER will always be close to zero.
Improved bandwidth
5G networks have a much wider range of bandwidth available than previous networks. By extending the spectrum of available resources from sub-3 GHz to 100 GHz and beyond, 5G range can include both low and high frequencies. This allows the network to function over a wider range of bandwidth and supports more devices at once, increasing overall network capacity and throughput.
Reduced waiting time
5G’s low latency (the time it takes for data to travel from one point on the network to another) makes activities like downloading files and interacting with the cloud 10 times faster than on 4G or 3G networks. 4G networks have a latency of around 200ms, while 5G networks typically have a latency of around 1ms.
Disadvantages of 5G
As with any emerging technology, there are plenty of reasons to be cautious about 5G as much as there is excitement. Let’s take a look at some of the concerns that are preventing both consumers and businesses from embracing it wholeheartedly.
cyber security
Although 5G’s algorithms are more comprehensive than their predecessors, users are still vulnerable to cyber-attacks. One area of concern is encryption. Although apps on 5G networks are encrypted, the 5G NR standard lacks end-to-end encryption, leaving them vulnerable to certain types of attacks.
network slicing
Network slicing is a common feature of 5G networks, but it’s also an area of vigilance. Creating virtual networks for specific functions exposes 5G software to hackers, malware, and other potential breaches. When a breach occurs, malware and spyware can spread throughout a carrier’s infrastructure and network devices, causing problems for the entire enterprise.
infrastructure
To migrate services and functionality to a 5G network, businesses must weigh the cost and time required to upgrade their equipment to 5G compatibility. This can be time consuming and expensive. Businesses that have relied on 3G or 4G networks for some time typically have already invested heavily in equipment. Replacing infrastructure and upskilling employees so that new infrastructure can be installed and maintained is a major hurdle.
coverage gap
With the global rollout of 5G technology, many metropolitan areas now have 5G coverage. However, it’s important to note that 5G isn’t here yet. wherever And it won’t last long. For example, many remote areas do not have 5G connectivity or are only provided with limited range. Before companies upgrade to his 5G, they should consider where they plan to use 5G and ensure 5G coverage, especially if they operate in rural areas.
penetration
The high-frequency radio waves that carry 5G signals can be easily blocked by common objects such as buildings and trees, so ensuring a seamless route for the radio waves to travel can be an issue. Factories and offices present unique challenges, with some companies having to redesign their facilities in a way that makes them more compatible with 5G networks.
How does 5G technology work?
5G networks are divided into geographical sections called cells. Within these cells, wireless devices such as smartphones, tablets, and computers connect to the Internet or telephone network by transmitting radio waves between a base station and an antenna. The underlying technology of 5G networks is the same as that of 3G or 4G networks, but the download speeds are much faster. Download speeds on some 5G networks can reach 10 gigabits per second (Gbps) if there are only a few devices on the network.
As 5G technology spreads to more and more customers and the number of applications that support it continues to grow, its popularity with carriers and Internet service providers (ISPs) is expected to increase. For example, in North America, the most popular ISPs for home Internet (Verizon, Google, AT&T) have already adopted it, and more than 200 million households have subscribed to it (link outside ibm.com). there is).
Three key features set 5G technology apart:
- mobile phone standards
- network slicing
- private network
Here we take a closer look at each of these areas, what makes them unique to 5G, and how they help the technology function.
new mobile phone standard
The 5G NR (New Radio) standard for mobile phone networks is a new radio access technology (RAT) specification built specifically for 5G mobile networks. In 2018, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3FPP) began developing a new global standard for mobile networks to guide the development of devices and applications on 5G networks. Today, cellular networks and manufacturers wishing to power or design 5G devices can simply follow the 5G NR standard to become compliant, increasing the ease and potential of 5G expansion. According to Ericsson’s recent report (link is outside his ibm.com), his 45% of networks worldwide will be 5G-enabled by the end of 2023; It is predicted that this will increase to 85%.
network slicing
With 5G networks, carriers will deploy multiple independent virtual networks on the same infrastructure to power numerous business applications and enable users to remotely perform more complex tasks than they currently can. For example, companies that want to segment their wireless capabilities by use case or business model can form “collections” on their 5G network. The collection provides users on its network with a more reliable and consistent experience on their selected mobile devices than was possible with previous generations of wireless technology.
private network
5G technology allows users to create private networks with enhanced personalization features, including secure access, improved quality control, and added mobility. These features are making private 5G quickly becoming popular among global enterprises who want all the power and functionality of 5G, but also want to add an extra layer of security to their businesses. Private 5G networks allow businesses to manage multiple devices, services, and applications in a more private, secure, and efficient environment than any public network.
5G use cases
Now that you have a general idea of the pros and cons to consider when it comes to 5G and how the new technology works, let’s take a look at how it’s being applied in the real world.
- Self-driving car: Until the advent of 5G, fully autonomous vehicles were unable to operate independently using available 3G and 4G networks because they did not support the speeds needed to send and receive information. 5G’s ultra-high-speed capabilities open the possibility for self-driving cars to be as ubiquitous on every road as taxis and delivery trucks in the near future.
- Smart factory: AI and ML are already making factories everywhere smarter and more efficient. 5G will enable further leaps forward in the future, automating more tasks, deploying cameras and drones to do jobs that previously required humans, and connecting thousands of smart devices to the internet. I’ll make it. With factory settings, he gets dizzy thinking about all the potential uses for 5G. This is one of the areas most likely to have a highly disruptive and transformative impact, from how we measure and optimize fuel usage, to the design of equipment lifecycles, to the delivery of goods to customers. Everything is subject to change, even down to shipping methods.
- Smart city: With 5G, cities will be able to perform day-to-day tasks such as waste and air quality management much more efficiently than ever before. By introducing new Internet of Things (IoT) devices connected to the internet via 5G networks, cities will have much more control than before over activities such as traffic control, power management, waste disposal, and even law enforcement. You will be able to do it.
- Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR): Virtual reality (digital environments that block out the real world) and augmented reality (digital content that augments the real world) both rely heavily on 5G technology to function and have many business applications. For example, mobile phones and smart glasses using virtual reality and augmented reality technology running on 5G networks are already adding digital overlays, live views, and other capabilities to inventory warehouse employees, delivery drivers, maintenance workers, and more. doing.
- Edge computing: Edge computing refers to a distributed computing framework that brings enterprise applications closer to their data sources. Naturally, any technology that relies on moving large amounts of data in a wireless environment will be powered by 5G. For edge computing, 5G brings computing and data storage closer to where data is generated, especially on the network, allowing for greater control, lowering costs, and faster delivery of insights. According to a recent white paper from Gartner (link is off ibm.com), by 2025, 75% of enterprise data will be processed through edge computing (compared to just 10% today).
IBM and 5G
5G presents huge opportunities for app developers, but they need the right platform to take advantage of its ultra-fast upload and download speeds. IBM Cloud Satellite allows you to consistently deploy and run apps across on-premises, edge computing, and public cloud environments with secure, auditable communication with IBM Cloud.
Explore IBM Cloud Satellites
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