In the realm of technology, there are pivotal moments that shape our digital landscape, and the advent of 5G stands as a beacon of innovation. As we delve into this revolutionary cellular technology, it’s evident that 5G is not just an upgrade but a transformational leap into the future. Let’s embark on a journey to understand the intricacies and impact of 5G technology, from its origins to its profound implications across industries
What is 5G?
5G, the fifth generation of cellular networks, represents a quantum leap in connectivity. It promises to intertwine devices, machines, and people through high-speed, low-latency data connections, setting the stage for a hyper-connected world. With an estimated global market value of USD 188 billion by 2025, the significance of 5G cannot be overstated.
Evolution to 5G
- 1G – first generation
- This technology was introduced in the 1980s and was the standard used for analog telecommunication.
- 2G – second generation (typical time taken to download a 30 MB file – 40 minutes)
- Successor to the 1G technology, it introduced digital telecommunication in the 1990s over cellular networks.
- 3G – third generation (typical time taken to download a 30 MB file – 1 minute)
- Introduced in the 2000s, this technology marked the advent of the internet on mobile devices as it offered improved data speeds.
- 4G – fourth generation (typical time taken to download a 30 MB file – 8 seconds) 4 The next decade saw the rise of even faster mobile data communication with 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE)
The next decade saw the rise of even faster mobile data communication with 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE).
This decade marks the arrival of a new technology, 5G – the latest in a line of cellular network technologies. Each generation shift has ushered in a significant change in service, technology, transfer speeds, and usage. With the evolution to 5G, this trend continues by providing much more reliable and faster connectivity, offering customers and businesses a superior user experience.
The impact of 4G vs 5G will be felt in all industries that use the internet, especially in healthcare, agriculture, and logistics, which were underserved due to the low speeds of the previous generations of cellular connections and an expanded range of use cases of 5G.
Why is it better?
While 4G networks provide a maximum speed of 100–200 Mbps, the speed of 5G peaks around 10 Gbps – a hundred-fold increase in speed. 5G accomplishes this task by utilizing a wide array of the spectrum from lower bands (frequency <1 GHz) to higher bands called millimeter wave (mmWave; frequency >24 GHz). The capacity of these mmWave frequencies is many times higher than that of existing technology, hence improving the efficiency of 5G.
5G tech has also seen communication of very minimal latency (<1 millisecond). This would mean that there would be no significant delay times associated with the network, making it much more reliable and enabling seamless real-time access to technology.
How Does 5G Impact India?
Technological trends under 5G
5G technology has a few unique characteristics which are part of the 5G New Radio (NR) standards, set up by the 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project).
eMBB: Enhanced mobile broadband
eMBB is one of the use cases whereby 5G will be able to deliver its full potential to the masses. Through eMBB, 5G will be able to provide gigabits of data speed through mobile broadband. A real ‘hotspot’ situation could be where hundreds and thousands of fans are utilizing limited broadband and connectivity during a sports event or a concert, and eMBB could deliver the required speeds to provide connectivity to the crowd.
urLLC: Ultra-reliable low-latency communication
Quicker response time has been an ask with each evolution of cellular technology, and 5G will be able to meet this demand remarkably. Latency has been a barrier for technologies dependent on processing huge amounts of data with near to no delay. Through urLLC, 5G will empower technology to do just that. Thanks to 5G, technology like self-driven vehicles or augmented reality (AR) supported surgery will become possible shortly.
mMMTC: Massive machine-to-machine communication
mMMTC is the 5G use case focusing on a large number of IoT-connected systems. It could help in the large-scale deployment of machines that perform simple functions and have low power utilization.
5G and its effect on the market
5G is ushering in development and revenue in industries across the world. A recent analysis shows that by 2035, 5G technology will transform industries worldwide, with the market value of 5G generating output worth USD 13.2 trillion globally and creating job opportunities for more than 22 million people.
5G is also impacting areas like IoT, virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence (AI) due to its improved connectivity, speeds, reliability, and low latency. It is opening new avenues and experiences such as instant access to cloud services, real-time collaboration, medical consultation, and low-latency cloud gaming, as some of the use cases of 5G.
mMMTC: Massive machine-to-machine communication
mMMTC is the 5G use case focusing on a large number of IoT-connected systems. It could help in the large-scale deployment of machines that perform simple functions and have low power utilization.
5G and its effect on the market
5G is ushering in development and revenue in industries across the world. A recent analysis shows that by 2035, 5G technology will transform industries worldwide, with the market value of 5G generating output worth USD 13.2 trillion globally and creating job opportunities for more than 22 million people.
5G is also impacting areas like IoT, virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence (AI) due to its improved connectivity, speeds, reliability, and low latency. It is opening new avenues and experiences such as instant access to cloud services, real-time collaboration, medical consultation, and low-latency cloud gaming, as some of the use cases of 5G.
What value does it add to business?
1. Handling growing data volumes
By facilitating the growth of AI, IoT, and automation in the industry, 5G is bound to generate more data. 5G will also aid in managing the transfer of these large amounts of data through eMBB.
2. Flexible offices
5G provides the opportunity to build ‘smart buildings’ where lighting, temperature, and more can be controlled through occupancy monitoring. The technology essentially helps process large amounts of real-time data and make automated decisions. This can help in creating more secure, efficient, and cost-effective workplaces.
3. Remote working
5G can also aid remote working by making sure that poor connectivity does not impede either the business or the employee. AR and VR can also bring in an atmosphere of collaboration and reduce other overhead costs.
Conclusion
As we stand on the cusp of the 5G revolution, it’s evident that its impact will be profound and far-reaching. From unlocking new technological frontiers to transforming industries and redefining the way we work and live, 5G is poised to shape the future in ways we’re only beginning to comprehend. Embracing the potential of 5G is not merely a choice but a necessity in navigating the complexities of our ever-evolving digital world.
