While we all rely heavily on wireless and cellular connectivity in our personal and professional lives, very few people stop to think about how far we have come. The world is currently implementing the fifth generation of internet connectivity, which is thousands of times faster and more capable than the first generation. From only being able to communicate via phone calls to hosting live video conference meetings, wireless technology has indeed changed all our lives. Now that 5G is rolling out, the fifth generation of this technology, it is important to take some time to think about and see how it will change with the world as we know it.

Speed, Density and Latency

We have already experienced living in a connected world where everything is available to us in just a few clicks. We can watch high-definition, movies, order food and even work from home all using a 4G connection. 5G takes all that and takes it to the next level.

5G is faster, has a lower latency and a higher bandwidth than 4G. This means we will be able to download content, faster websites, apps, and internet connections feel snappier, and we will be able to connect more devices on a single network simultaneously. This has huge implications in areas where such factors make a huge difference, such as in broadcasting and office communications.

Automation

5G covers more frequency bands while also being faster than 4G. Research by melitabusiness.com found that 5G is 20 times faster than 4G and uses bands of higher frequency, sometimes up to 30GHz, compared to the 6GHz 4G is capable of. This means 5G supports a larger capacity for fast data. By covering so many frequencies, 5G allows for the connection of many devices on a single connection, all of which communicate in near real time.

This is how 5G will be a game-changer for automation. If we connected sensors, cameras and other devices and got data from them in real-time, they can work together. We are already seeing video surveillance systems that combine these data to provide even better security.

Second, 5G is thought to be the one thing holding true driverless vehicles back. Right now, the best vehicles with automated driving can “think” for themselves, make decisions, and thus be able to drive themselves. Now, if these vehicles could talk amongst themselves, they would be able to reduce accidents, reduce traffic jams and reduce our reliance on human drivers who are prone to errors.

Optimization in Warehousing and Retail

According to experts, wireless 5G means high bandwidth, zero lag and no cables for warehouses that rely on machinery like robots. Right now, warehouses rely on tethered machines. 5G will remove the need for this tethering so warehouse managers can better optimise their warehouse configurations. Additionally, if forklifts can share information, they could improve warehouse efficiencies and save both time and money. The use of 5G in warehouses can also make them safer. Operators would not have to interact with machines directly as they can control them from anywhere in the world in real-time. In retail, robots can communicate to optimise certain processes better. This is already being done where robots are helping run a human-less supermarket. These robots talk to each other to know what to add to various baskets, and they do so in such an efficient manner that humans are not needed.

The Future of Work

It is impossible to talk about 5G without talking about how it will change the future of work. Many industries are already undergoing a digital transformation. Workers are increasingly relying on the internet for certain tasks. For example, if a system or process needs data, that data can be fetched much faster and reliably, which is crucial if the amount of data is huge.

The push for work from home opportunities and arrangements is already on, with many businesses allowing employees to work from home. This is enabled by the various tools they use and a fast and reliable internet connection. With 5G, the only difference between working at home and in the office is the physical space you occupy. You could make a flawless call to a co-worker, send huge documents in seconds, and collaborate as if you were in the same room.

Smart City Applications

Cities have not changed much since they were established, with governments doing things the same way for decades or centuries. 5G will enable smart city technologies. These technologies will help make cities and workers safer, decrease traffic congestion and improve the efficiency of public service delivery. All this could be done by allowing IoT devices to transmit data to relevant parties in real-time.

There is no doubt that 5G is one of the most exciting technologies of our lifetimes. With its many benefits over 4G, the limits to what we can do with it and how it can change the world are limited by our imaginations.

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