New 5G applications are being discovered every day, both in the technology world and beyond. From driverless cars to smart cities, farms, and even shopping experiences, the latest standards in wireless networks are poised to transform the way we interact with information, devices, and each other. There’s never been a better time to take a closer look at how humans are using 5G to transform the world.
What is 5G?
5G (fifth generation mobile technology) is the latest standard for mobile phone networks. Like its predecessors 3G, 4G, and 4G LTE, 5G technology uses radio waves for data transmission. However, due to significant improvements in latency, throughput, and bandwidth, 5G allows for much faster download and upload speeds than previous networks.
How is 5G different from other wireless networks?
Since its release in 2019, 5G broadband technology has been hailed as a breakthrough technology that will have a major impact on both consumers and businesses. This is primarily because networks can be used to process large amounts of data generated by complex devices.
As mobile technology has expanded over the years, the amount of data users generate every day has increased exponentially. Currently, other transformative technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and machine learning (ML) require much faster speeds than those provided by 3G and 4G networks to function. . The arrival of his 5G, with its super-fast data transfer capabilities, will allow the new technology to work as designed.
Here are some of the biggest differences between 5G and previous wireless networks.
- Physical footprint: The transmitters used in 5G technology are smaller than previous networks, so they can be placed individually and in discreet locations. Additionally, 5G network “cells” (the geographic areas that all wireless networks need to connect to) are smaller and require less power to operate than previous generations.
- Error rate: 5G’s adaptive modulation and coding scheme (MCS) is the method that WiFi devices use to transmit data, which is more powerful than that of 3G and 4G networks. This results in significantly lower block error rate (BER), a measure of error frequency, for 5G.
- Bandwidth: 5G networks utilize a wider range of radio frequencies than previous wireless networks, allowing them to transmit over a wider range of bandwidth. This increases the number of devices that can be supported at any given time.
- Reduced waiting time: 5G’s low latency, a measure of the time it takes for data to travel from one place to another, is a significant improvement over previous generations. This means that everyday activities like downloading files and working in the cloud will be much faster with a 5G connection than with a connection on another network.
How does 5G work?
Like all wireless networks, 5G networks are divided into geographic areas called cells. Within each cell, wireless devices such as smartphones, PCs, and IoT devices connect to the Internet via radio waves transmitted between an antenna and a base station. The technology behind 5G is essentially the same as 3G and 4G networks, but 5G networks offer much faster download speeds, reaching 10 gigabits per second (Gbps) in some cases, due to lower latency. can.
The demand for 5G connectivity is increasing as more devices are built for 5G speeds. Currently, many popular Internet Service Providers (ISPs) such as Verizon, Google, and AT&T are offering their 5G networks to homes and businesses. According to Statista, it has already been purchased by more than 200 million households and businesses, and that number is expected to at least double by 2028 (link is outside ibm.com).
Let’s take a look at three areas of technological improvement that make 5G so unique.
New communication specifications
The 5G NR (New Radio) standard for mobile phone networks defines new radio access technology (RAT) specifications for all 5G mobile networks. The rollout of 5G began in 2018 with a global effort known as the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3FPP) that defined a new set of standards to guide the design of devices and applications used in 5G networks.
The effort was successful, and 5G networks began to grow rapidly over the next few years. Currently, 45% of networks around the world are 5G-enabled, and according to a recent report from Ericsson, that number is expected to increase to 85% by the end of the decade (link is (outside of his ibm.com).
Separate virtual networks (network slicing)
5G networks allow network operators to offer multiple independent virtual networks (in addition to the public network) on the same infrastructure. Unlike previous wireless networks, this new feature allows users to do more remotely with better security than ever before. For example, 5G networks allow enterprises to create use cases and business models and allocate their own independent virtual networks, greatly improving the user experience for employees through increased customization and security.
private network
In addition to network slicing, creating a 5G private network allows for enhanced personalization and security features over those available on previous generations of wireless networks. Global enterprises seeking greater control and mobility for their employees are increasingly turning to private 5G network architectures rather than the public networks they have traditionally used.
5G use cases
Now that we have a better understanding of how 5G technology works, let’s take a closer look at some of the exciting applications it enables.
self-driving car
From taxis to drones and more, 5G technology will power most of the next generation features in self-driving cars. Until the advent of 5G cellular standards, fully self-driving cars were a bit of a pipe dream due to the data transmission limitations of 3G and 4G technologies. 5G’s ultra-fast connection speeds now make transportation systems like cars and trains much faster than previous generations, changing the way systems and devices connect, communicate, and collaborate.
smart factory
5G, along with AI and ML, is poised to help factories become not only smarter, but also more automated, efficient and resilient. Many mundane but necessary tasks related to equipment repair and optimization are now being taken over by machines, thanks to 5G connectivity combined with AI and ML capabilities. This is one area where 5G is expected to have a major disruptive impact, impacting everything from fuel efficiency to the design of equipment lifecycles to the way goods are delivered to homes.
For example, on a crowded factory floor, drones and cameras connected to IoT-enabled smart devices can help find and transport items more efficiently and prevent theft. Not only is this better for the environment and consumers, it also frees up employees to spend their time and energy on tasks that are better suited to their skill sets.
smart city
The idea of hyper-connected urban environments that leverage 5G network speeds to drive innovation in areas such as law enforcement, waste disposal, and disaster mitigation is rapidly becoming a reality. Some cities are already using 5G-enabled sensors to track traffic patterns in real-time and adjust traffic lights to direct traffic flow, minimize congestion, and improve air quality. .
In another example, 5G power grids monitor supply and demand across populated areas and deploy AI and ML applications to “learn” when energy demand is high and low. This process has been shown to have a significant impact on energy savings and waste, potentially reducing carbon emissions and helping cities meet their sustainability goals.
smart healthcare
Hospitals, doctors, and the entire healthcare industry are already benefiting from the speed and reliability of 5G networks every day. One example is the field of robotics and remote surgery using high-definition live streams connected to the internet via his 5G network. The other area is mobile health. 5G will give frontline healthcare workers faster access to patient data and medical history, allowing them to make smarter decisions faster, potentially saving lives.
Finally, as we have seen during the pandemic, contact tracing and outbreak mapping are critical to keeping people safe. 5G’s ability to quickly and securely deliver large amounts of data will help experts make more informed decisions that affect everyone.
Improving the employee experience
The combination of 5G and new technology capabilities will not only automate employee tasks, but will also dramatically improve tasks and the overall employee experience. For example, consider virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). VR (digital environments that block out the real world) and AR (digital content that augments the real world) are already being used by warehouse workers, transportation drivers, and many others. These employees rely on wearables connected to his 5G network capable of high data transfer speeds, which improves several important functions, including:
- Live view: 5G connectivity provides live real-time views of equipment, events, and even people. One way this feature is used in professional sports is by allowing broadcasters to call sporting events remotely from outside the stadium where the event is being held.
- Digital overlay: Using IoT applications in warehouses and industrial environments allows workers wearing smart glasses (or even just a smartphone) to obtain information from the application in real time, such as repair instructions or the name and location of spare parts.
- Drone inspection: Today, one of the leading causes of employee injuries is inspecting equipment and project sites located in remote and potentially hazardous areas. Drones connected via 5G networks can also safely monitor equipment and project sites or take readings of hard-to-reach gauges.
edge computing
Edge computing is a computing framework that allows calculations to be performed close to the data source, and is rapidly becoming the norm for enterprises. According to a Gartner white paper (link is located outside ibm.com), by 2025, 75% of enterprise data will be processed at the edge (compared to just 10% today). This migration will save businesses time and money, and give them better control over large amounts of data. That would not be possible without the new speed standards generated by 5G technology.
Ultra-reliable edge computing and 5G enable enterprises to achieve faster transmission speeds, greater control, and improved security for large amounts of data. Combining these two technologies improves speed, reliability, and bandwidth while reducing latency, resulting in faster, more comprehensive data analysis and insights for businesses everywhere.
5G solutions using IBM Cloud Satellite
5G presents huge opportunities for businesses, but first they need a platform that can handle the speeds. IBM Cloud Satellite allows you to consistently deploy and run apps across on-premises, edge computing, and public cloud environments on 5G networks. And it’s all made possible with secure, auditable communications within IBM Cloud.
Explore IBM Cloud Satellites
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