The Future of 5G: What to Expect from This Revolutionary Technology

Since its launch in 2019, 5G wireless networks have grown in both availability and use cases. Apple was one of the first manufacturers to test the appetite for 5G in 2020 by offering its latest iPhones with 5G compatibility. From there, the floodgates opened and 62% of smartphones are now equipped with 5G connectivity (link is external to ibm.com). The number of networks continues to increase, with popular Internet Service Providers (ISPs) such as Verizon. , Google and AT&T offer 5G connectivity in both homes and businesses.

But what will happen in the future? 5G has been evaluated as a disruptive technology comparable to artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and the Internet of Things (IoT) in terms of the types of changes it will bring. How much of that is true and how much is exaggeration? To answer this question, we first need to look at how 5G works and what makes it different from other technologies.

What is 5G?

5G (5th generation mobile technology) is a new standard for cellular networks developed by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3FPP) in 2018 to replace the existing standards of 3G, 4G, and 4G LTE. The goal was to define a new set of standards for devices and applications compatible with 5G networks. Like its predecessors, 5G uses radio waves to transmit data. However, with improvements in latency, throughput, and bandwidth, 5G networks will be able to reach much faster download and upload speeds, enabling a much wider range of applications.

How is 5G different from previous generations of wireless networks?

Due to technological advancements, 5G has been evaluated as having revolutionary potential in a variety of industries. This is primarily due to the ability to quickly and securely move large amounts of data between connected devices at speeds previously unachievable. Since the invention of mobile broadband and its gradual expansion into every part of our work and home lives, the amount of data generated by networks and the mobile devices that run them has grown exponentially. Some technologies today (such as AI and ML) require too much data to run at the speeds provided by previous generations of wireless networks. On the other hand, 5G, with its lightning-fast speeds and high bandwidth frequencies (24GHz to 40GHz), is well suited for applications that require quick and secure access to large amounts of data.

Here are the most important differences between 5G and its predecessor:

• Smaller physical space: 5G transmitters are smaller than those in previous networks, and the “cells” — the geographic areas the wireless technology relies on for connectivity — are smaller and require less power.
• Improved error rate: 5G’s Adaptive Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS), a schematic for data transmission, is more powerful than the methods used in 3G and 4G networks. This results in a much lower block error rate (BER), which is the frequency of errors in the network.
• Better Bandwidth: 5G can support more devices by using more radio frequencies than previous wireless communications networks, including low-band (less than 1 GHz), mid-band (1 GHz to 6 GHz), and high-band (24 GHz to 40 GHz). The same time.
• Low latency: 5G’s low latency (a measure of how long it takes data to travel from one location to another) is superior to previous networks, making everyday activities like downloading files or working in the cloud much faster.

How does 5G work?

Like all other 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 5G antennas and base stations. The same technologies used in all previous generations of wireless networks apply to 5G, but with some improvements. In particular, 5G networks transmit data at speeds of 10Gbps or even 20Gbps, which is more than 100 times faster than 4G.

As the number of devices deployed for 5G technology increases, so does the demand on the network itself. In North America, all major carriers currently offer 5G in more than 200 million homes and businesses (link is external to ibm.com), and this number is expected to double in the next four years.

Here are three important areas where 5G technology outperforms previous technologies:

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 worldwide are 5G-compatible, and according to a recent report from Ericsson, this figure is expected to increase to 85% within 10 years (link resides outside ibm.com).

Network slicing function

5G networks will allow telecom operators to offer multiple independent virtual networks (including public networks) on the same 5G infrastructure, allowing users to do more remotely and with stronger security than ever before.

private network

In addition to network slicing, 5G will allow users to create private networks with improved personalization and security. Enterprises seeking more control and mobility for their employees are increasingly turning to private 5G network architectures rather than public networks.

5G Future: Innovation for the next few years

Interest in 5G networks and the devices and applications that run them is understandably high among consumers and business leaders alike. According to a recent IDC white paper (link resides outside ibm.com), approximately 120 million 5G devices are expected to ship in the U.S. alone by the end of 2023. This is a 9.3% increase over the previous year. By 2027, the final year covered in the report, 155 million units are expected to be shipped, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.4%.

Although identical figures are not available globally, according to a Statista report (link resides outside ibm.com), the global penetration rate of 5G-compatible smartphones is expected to be 59% in 2023, and this figure is expected to reach over 82% by 2027. .

But beyond the numbers, what does this surge in interest really mean? Sometimes new technology can make it difficult to separate the reality from all the fun. Let’s take a closer look at some of the areas 5G is expected to impact and the changes it will bring.

health care

In the healthcare industry, 5G is already enabling greater efficiency, deeper insights from data, and improved patient outcomes. Low latency, faster speeds, and increased bandwidth will enable doctors to discover new treatments, use robots to perform critical procedures remotely, and access patient information on-site regardless of location.

More specifically, 5G will continue to:

• Add to the number of IoT devices used to remotely monitor patient health.
• Provide trusted connections with real-time results so your staff can make faster, more informed decisions about patient care.
• You can quickly and securely transmit HD photos and videos of X-rays, mammograms, and more, and read the results remotely.

supply chain

As 5G connectivity proliferates, supply chains everywhere will benefit from lightning-fast speeds and improved reliability. As the networks on which global trade relies become increasingly digital, they are more reliant than ever on high-speed data transmission capabilities and 5G speeds. As supply chains become more digitized and automated, 5G can be leveraged more to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance security.

Today, 5G services are already being used in airports, ports, train stations and other logistics hubs critical to supply chain infrastructure, but their potential is largely untapped. In the near future, 5G connectivity is expected to play a larger role in improving both employee and customer experiences. Programs already being piloted include shelf sensors that determine when an item is out of stock and immediately reorder it, cashierless checkouts, HD cameras to replace security guards, and IoT devices such as drones.

fixed wireless network

The concept of a ‘fixed’ wireless connection – an internet connection that delivers a seamless wireless experience in your home or business over radio waves rather than cables or fiber – could help bring internet to more people and places, more affordably. In a fixed 5G ecosystem, an antenna that connects to the nearest 5G transmitter is attached to your home or business. 5G fixed wireless networks can deliver 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 resides outside IBM), providing Internet connectivity, especially wireless access, helps lift millions of people out of poverty every year. With the ability to deliver the same benefits to millions of people at a much lower cost, 5G technology could be a game changer, bringing the benefits of internet connectivity to communities that have lived without it for years.

smart city

Perhaps no environment will be more transformed by 5G connectivity than congested city centers, where foot and car traffic has long contributed to congestion, air and noise pollution. 5G is already helping to improve traffic flow and air quality in cities through sensors connected via IoT, but the future is likely to bring even more innovation to this space.

One of the biggest areas where smart cities can take greater advantage of 5G is AI capabilities. We’re currently testing programs where 5G-powered AI will enable everything from smarter energy management to 911 call routing. In Vienna, WienBot (link resides outside ibm.com), an AI chatbot, helps users solve problems ranging from problems as simple as finding the nearest water fountain or dinner spot to complex tasks such as renewing a passport or obtaining a travel visa.

Edge computing and AI

Finally, edge computing, a computing framework that relies heavily on 5G to perform computations closer to the data source, will help enterprises achieve unprecedented control over their data and extract insights faster than before. One area where edge computing is particularly well-positioned for growth is cloud computing. Cloud computing requires large amounts of performance to process the data that AI is tasked with analyzing. Here, 5G connectivity and stability are key to realizing corporate value. For example, transferring data from one point to another in a chat or personal finance application requires additional performance and resources that are not needed if the data is analyzed at the source.

Edge computing could soon make real-time AI analysis of large amounts of data a reality for everything from fitness and health apps to remotely operated vehicles such as satellites and drones. Given its potential, leveraging 5G-enabled edge computing is quickly becoming the standard for enterprise data processing. According to a Gartner white paper (link resides outside ibm.com), by 2025, 75% of enterprise data will be processed at the edge (compared to just 10% today).

5G solutions with IBM Cloud Satellite

To unlock the full potential of the 5G future, you first need a platform built for it. IBM Cloud Satellite lets you deploy and run apps consistently across on-premises, edge computing, and public cloud environments in 5G networks. And all of this is made possible through secure, auditable communications within the IBM Cloud.

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