As your agency plans for 5G, ask these questions
So what technology is needed to support a government’s 5G backbone and move data efficiently? It depends on the age of an agency’s network structure. Technology that is less than 5 years old may not need to be updated. 5G capacity is installed out of the box.
However, even government agencies implementing new network technologies need to plan how to deploy their 5G networks. Issues that need to be addressed include:
- What areas are the authorities trying to cover and what kind of devices are being brought in?
- Will the network stay in one place or will it spread across different locations?
- Does the countryside have anything to do with it? If yes, what is his 5G coverage like in that area?
- Are agencies sticking with standard mobility devices like laptops and phones, or are they considering more specialized features like sensors, health indicators, and warehouse robots?
- Which vendor is best? (Cisco is working on 5G, as are Dell, HP, and others.)
There is no one answer to these questions. It all depends on what the government agency plans to do with his 5G network.
read more: How can the federal government benefit from 5G?
5G networks include several common features
Regardless of the government agency or its goals, 5G projects have a few things in common. One is the need for Spectrum Access System (SAS). Spectrum incumbents, such as government agencies, navies, and fixed-satellite stations, have first rights to the radio spectrum. SAS troops help avoid radio and communications interference.
If your government network is intended to support large numbers of users, large groups of endpoint devices, or streaming for video conferencing, telehealth connectivity, or other uses, 5G will allow everything on your network to enables high throughput for users. It operates at the speed of light.
Additionally, today’s mobile devices with electronic SIMs can connect to 5G networks as well as regular Wi-Fi. This allows agencies with employees working in remote locations with unreliable connectivity to quickly set up networks and ensure secure communications.
Previously, SIMs were often programmed for specific networks, hindering interoperability between providers. 5G has activated a standardized ecosystem. This means that if an agency changes carriers, it can implement new technology without replacing it.
Discover: Government agencies are researching ways to protect 5G networks from adversaries.
Seek help early in the 5G planning process
How quickly can 5G be deployed? There are no specific deadlines for agencies to develop these networks, but this is to be expected as it will require a lot of planning. Many government agencies are still figuring out exactly what 5G can do for them.
The movement toward 5G is expected to accelerate in the coming years as government agencies become familiar with the concept and develop solid uses for it. If you are currently considering deploying 5G, you should consider consulting with an outside organization familiar with 5G. Few agencies have employees with the network communications expertise that a third party may have.
Additionally, with so many vendors involved in creating 5G solutions, teamwork between agencies and external partners is essential to ensure projects progress as agencies desire.
This article is part of fedtech‘s CapITal Blog Series.
