Since its rollout in 2019, 5G wireless networks have grown in both availability and use cases. Apple was one of the first manufacturers to test its 5G ambitions in 2020 by offering its latest iPhones with 5G compatibility. From there, the floodgates opened, and now 62% of smartphones have 5G connectivity (link is outside ibm.com). The number of networks continues to grow, and many popular Internet Service Providers (ISPs) like Verizon are joining the ranks. , Google and AT&T will provide his 5G connectivity to both homes and businesses.
But what does the future hold? 5G is being hailed as a disruptive technology that rivals artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and the Internet of Things (IoT) in terms of the changes it brings. How much is true and how much is just hype? To answer this question, we first need to consider how 5G works and what makes it different from other technologies.
What is 5G?
5G (5th Generation Mobile Technology) is a new standard for mobile phone networks developed by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3FPP) in 2018 to replace the previous standards of 3G, 4G, and 4G LTE. Its goal was to define a new set of standards for devices and applications compatible with 5G networks. Like its predecessor, 5G uses radio waves to transmit data. However, due to improvements in latency, throughput, and bandwidth, 5G networks have significantly increased download and upload speeds, greatly expanding the range of applications.
How is 5G different from previous generations of wireless networks?
Due to technological advancements, 5G is being hailed as having transformative potential across many industries. This is primarily due to its ability to quickly and securely move large amounts of data between connected devices at unprecedented speeds. Since mobile broadband was invented and gradually expanded into every corner of our work and home lives, the amount of data generated by networks and the mobile devices that run on them has grown exponentially. Currently, some technologies (such as AI and ML) require large amounts of data to run at the speeds provided by previous generations of wireless networks. 5G, on the other hand, has ultra-fast speeds and high band frequencies (24GHz to 40GHz), making it ideal for applications that require quick and secure access to large amounts of data.
The most important differences between 5G and its previous versions are:
- Small physical footprint: 5G transmitters are smaller than those in previous networks, their “cells” (the geographic areas that wireless technology relies on for connectivity) are smaller, and they require less power.
- Improved error rate: 5G’s adaptive modulation and coding scheme (MCS) is a method for transmitting data that is more powerful than the methods used in 3G and 4G networks. This significantly lowers the block error rate (BER), which is the frequency of errors on the network.
- Improved bandwidth: 5G uses more radio frequencies than previous wireless communication networks, including low-band (below 1 GHz), mid-band (1 GHz to 6 GHz), and high band (24 GHz to 40 GHz). devices can be supported. It’s the same time.
- Reduced waiting time: 5G’s low latency (a measure of how long it takes data to travel from one place to another) is better than previous networks, making everyday activities like downloading files and working in the cloud much faster. It will be faster.
How does 5G work?
Like all wireless networks, 5G relies on “cells” to function. Within each cell, wireless devices such as phones, laptops, and tablets connect to the internet using radio waves that bounce between a 5G antenna and a base station. The same technology that powered previous generations of wireless networks is used in his 5G, but with some improvements. Specifically, 5G networks transmit data at speeds of 10 or 20 gigabits per second (Gbps). This is more than 100 times faster than 4G.
As the number of devices built for 5G technology increases, so will the demands on the network itself. In North America, all popular carriers now offer 5G, covering more than 200 million homes and businesses (link is located outside ibm.com), and that number will increase over the next four years. It is predicted to double.
Here are three key areas where 5G technology is better than its predecessors.
New RAT standard
The 5G New Radio (NR) standard for cellular networks defines the next generation radio access technology (RAT) specifications for all 5G mobile networks. 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).
Network slicing function
5G networks allow carriers to offer multiple independent virtual networks (in addition to the public network) on the same 5G infrastructure, allowing users to do more remotely with better security than ever before. You will be able to do it.
private network
In addition to network slicing, 5G allows users to create private networks with increased personalization and security. Companies seeking greater control and mobility for their employees are increasingly turning to private 5G network architectures rather than public networks.
The future of 5G: innovations in the coming years
It’s no surprise that interest in 5G networks and the devices and applications that run on them is high among consumers and business leaders. According to this recent IDC white paper (link is outside ibm.com), in the US alone, almost 120 million 5G devices are expected to be shipped by the end of 2023, and this is an increase of 9.3% from the previous year. By 2027, the final year covered by the report, 155 million units are expected to be shipped, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.4%.
Although the same numbers are not available worldwide, the Statista report (link is outside ibm.com) predicts global penetration of 5G-enabled smartphones to be 59% in 2023; is expected to reach over 82% by 2027.
But beyond the numbers, what does this increased interest actually mean? With new technology, it can be difficult to separate what’s real from all the excitement. Here we take a closer look at some of the areas where 5G is expected to impact and the changes it may bring.
health care
In the healthcare industry, 5G is already enabling increased efficiency, deeper insights from data, and improved patient outcomes. Low latency, high speeds, and increased bandwidth enable physicians to discover new treatments, use robotics to perform critical procedures remotely, and access patient information from anywhere in the field.
More specifically, 5G will continue to:
- The number of IoT devices used to remotely monitor patient health will increase.
- Empower your staff to make faster, more informed decisions about patient care by providing reliable connectivity with real-time results.
- Quickly and securely send HD photos and videos, such as X-rays and mammograms, and read the results remotely.
supply chain
As 5G connectivity becomes more widespread, supply chains everywhere will benefit from its ultra-fast speeds and improved reliability. As the networks on which global trade depends become increasingly digital, they are more reliant than ever on high-speed data transmission capabilities and 5G speeds to function. The more your supply chain becomes digital and automated, the more you can leverage 5G to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve security.
Currently, 5G services are already being used at airports, ports, stations, and other logistics hubs critical to supply chain infrastructure, but their potential is largely untapped. Soon, 5G connectivity is expected to play a bigger role in improving the experience for both employees and customers. Programs already being piloted include shelf sensors that detect when products are out of stock and immediately reorder them, cashierless checkout, and his IoT devices such as HD cameras and drones that replace security guards. It is.
fixed wireless network
The concept of “fixed” wireless connectivity (Internet connectivity that provides a seamless wireless experience in homes and businesses via radio waves rather than cable or fiber) helps bring the Internet to more people and places more cheaply . In the fixed 5G ecosystem, an antenna is installed at your home or business and connected to the nearest 5G transmitter. 5G fixed wireless networks can provide the same speed, connectivity, and reliability as fiber or cable connections at a fraction of the cost.
According to a recent World Bank blog (link is external to IBM), the provision of internet connectivity, especially wireless access, lifts millions of people out of poverty each year. Capable of delivering the same benefits to millions of people at a much lower cost, 5G technology has the potential to be a game-changer that brings the benefits of internet connectivity to communities that have lived without internet connectivity for years.
smart city
Perhaps no environment is more poised to be transformed by 5G connectivity than crowded city centers, where foot and car traffic has long caused congestion, air pollution, and noise pollution. 5G is already helping cities improve traffic flow and air quality with sensors connected via IoT, and the future is likely to bring even more innovation to this space.
One of the biggest areas where smart cities can further leverage 5G is in AI capabilities. Programs are currently being tested where 5G-enabled AI can help with everything from smarter energy management to routing 911 calls. In Vienna, WienBot (link is off ibm.com), an AI chatbot, helps users solve problems as simple as finding the nearest drinking fountain or place to eat dinner, or as complex as renewing a passport or obtaining a travel visa. Help users solve tasks.
Edge computing and AI
Finally, edge computing, a computing framework that relies heavily on 5G to perform computations close to the data source, is giving businesses unprecedented control over their data and enabling them to gain insights faster than ever before. It is ready to be extracted. One area where edge computing is especially ripe for growth is cloud computing. Cloud computing requires large amounts of electricity to process the data that AI is responsible for analyzing. Here, 5G connectivity and reliability are key to realizing value for businesses. For example, transmitting data from one point to another in a chat or personal finance application requires additional power and resources that are not needed if the data is being analyzed at the source.
Edge computing could soon enable real-time AI analysis of massive amounts of data for everything from fitness and health apps to remotely operated vehicles such as satellites and drones. Given its potential, the use of 5G-enabled edge computing is quickly becoming the standard for enterprise data processing. 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).
5G solutions using IBM Cloud Satellite
To harness the full potential of the 5G future, you need a platform built for it. 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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