Why is 5G important, and what does it mean for IoT?
Many top companies in the world don’t know the importance of 5G, and they feel that they don’t need 5G right now. Some of them think that their current WiFi capabilities are enough, so they don’t need 5G. In this article, we present 5G and IoT and how 5G will impact the Internet of Things (IoT). One thing is for sure is that organizations which embrace 5G will have growth opportunities in the future.
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Why is 5G important?
5G is the latest technology, and almost every new technology is better than the previous one. 5G is ten times faster than 4G and other WiFi networks. It is the best alternative to wired connections because it offers 20 Gbps and supports 1 million devices in a square kilometer.
Indeed, it will be beneficial for high-tech industries and IoT. Sectors that anticipated to benefit from of 5G are:
- Automotive
- Health care
- Smart building and cities
- Industrial and manufacturing
Related: 5G vs. 4G: Why is 5G better than 4G
What would be the impact of 5G on IoT?
IoT is on the rise, and it is expected that the connected devices will reach up to 3.2 billion by 2023. There are different factors behind this rise, and one of the most significant factors is 5G networks. Fifth-generation communications will be a great and new addition to the IoT market. 5G will improve the speed, reliability, and performance of these connected devices. Let’s consider the few factors about how 5G will impact IoT.
- Data-Transfer Speeds – IoTs success will be determined by its performance. How quickly and effectively it communicates with smartphones and tablets, app or website, and other IoT devices. 5G technology will be ten times faster than the existing one, and it will increase the communication speed of IoT devices significantly. It will not only improve the data transfer speed of home devices, but it will also improve the speed of healthcare and industry applications.
- Increased Network Reliability – 5G will not only improve speed, but it will also create more stable connections. For IoT, it is essential to have stable network conditions. 5G can handle more connected devices. This improved stability allows consumers to enjoy greater reliability of connected devices. If manufacturers want to take advantage of 5G and IoT, they will have to invest in 5G compatible devices.
What would be the commercialization challenges of 5G and IoT?
5G will take 5-7 years to become a reality. There will be many commercialization challenges of 5G and IoT. Given below are some of the challenges anticipated of 5G and IoT:
- 5G is a new technology, and there are no lessons and blueprints to be learned from previous years of deployment.
- For IoT commercialization, there are integration challenges because multiple layers of stack need to be combined.
- People who are working on it won’t enjoy the benefits of this technology. A perfect example of this is 4G technology, and internet companies are the primary beneficiary of this technology.
- Another significant challenge is the presence of different wireless technologies. You can’t enjoy the benefits of 5G by using existing devices, and you will have to buy new ones.
5G is going to be the latest technology, so there are lots of challenges associated with it.
Key Attributes of 5G
5G will become essential for IoT because it provides faster data speed and reliable network. Given below are key attributes of 5G:
- Low latency (Makes it ideal for autonomous driving and critical industrial IoT)
- High speed (Ideal for remote and connected healthcare services)
- Low power consumption (Goof for fleet management and smart buildings)
- Massive connections (Suitable for smart cities and digital factories)
What to expect from 5G and IoT?
5G and IoT are racing from vision to real-world applications. 5G can provide 2.7 times faster download speeds than 4G. When 5G is connected with IoT, it improves the data transfer speed and performance reliability. Moreover, remote and connected healthcare devices, industrial sensors, and governments now can provide such services that were never possible before.
The evolution will not take place in a few days; in fact, it will take years to develop and convert into reality. 5G will not only connect devices; it will also help IoT to detect leakages, triggering an alert, and send a notification to the regulator. 5G isn’t just a mobile network, and many people think that it will become an ecosystem of fully connected devices and sensors. Moreover, it will help businesses to improve their economy.
5G and IoT will not only improve business growth, but they will also provide cost-effective solutions. For example, when we talk about smart factories, they can increase production line efficiency, enable time-sensitive operation controls, and reduce energy consumption.
Also read: 5G business opportunities
Why 5G is the future
When 5G combines with other technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and security, it will provide many economic benefits to businesses. Things will change from the fragmented world of devices to a connected ecosystem that has no boundaries. Companies can take advantage of this technology by following the given steps:
- Identifying and partnering use cases that are relevant for the company
- Keep 5G applications in mind while making the roadmap for the foreseeable future
- Ensure that internal teams and external ecosystem partners have the needed capabilities
- Operations must be agile so that they can accept transitioning to 5G
While the standard specifications for true 5G is yet to be set by the International Telecommunication Union-Radio (ITU-R), organizations need to be prepared for it and start transitioning from now.
Organizations embracing 5G and IoT as early adopters will gain several benefits, such as being first to market, market penetration, as well as potentially the direct benefits of 5G and IoT, such as cost reductions and increased profitability.
The reality is that everything will change dramatically, providing opportunities for businesses. It’s difficult to detail the exact possibilities. However, it is anticipated that 5G and IoT, will bring about a similar, if not more remarkable change, than that brought by 4G connectivity and mobile apps.
However, there will be some commercialization challenges as well. What is almost certain is that 5G will significantly impact the IoT.
