The need for speed: Embracing the 5G future
5G means a lot of things. It’s a network standard built for low-latency, high-bandwidth, and device-rich applications. It’s also a protocol that replaces previous standards like 4G, LTE, 3G, and GPRS. But what’s most exciting about 5G is that it’s an enabler of innovation.
Market research shows that 5G connections are expected to double over the next two years. Consumer connections have already surpassed one billion by the end of last year. This explosive growth will ignite new needs for both businesses and consumers. How can real-world enterprises harness this great connectivity enabler and drive use cases that deliver meaningful and financial results?
The functional drivers of 5G connectivity
To capitalize on this moment, communications service providers (CSPs) must understand the practical drivers of 5G connectivity. According to the World Economic Forum, the five essential functional drivers are enhanced mobile broadband, ultra-reliable low latency communication, security, massive machine-type communications, and power efficiency.
It’s important to note, these aren’t just use cases – these are the everyday realities of 5G use. By 2028, 5G is expected to be the main contribute of mobile data traffic as 4G is phased out .
How will 5G revolutionize the future
Through its ultra-reliable, low-latency connectivity (URLLC), 5G technology has the potential to revolutionize the status quo of various industry verticals. Take, for instance, a bustling airport, where thousands of passengers check in daily, deposit and collect their baggage at a different airport, and complete their boarding process. Behind the scenes, airports must enable seamless cargo management, baggage tracking, runway traffic monitoring, and critical communications. URLLC can support the different needs of these stakeholders for the smooth functioning of the airport, which is a complex task given the high device density of transitory passengers and the backend operations.
Sports: Calling the shots
It was only a few decades ago that sports fans had to carry AM radio devices at sports games to keep up with the latest in-game progress. At the time, the best way to stay updated on the game was tuning into a live AM broadcast of the event. Now, technologies like 5G allow patrons to view live replays, order from concessions, and find their way back to their cars using way-finders, all from the smartphone in their pocket.
Hospitals: A picture of health
While most modern-day hospitals utilize WiFi for their connectivity, 5G will help hospitals overcome WiFi's limitations. In such a high-stakes environment so densely populated by interconnected devices, it's integral that these devices have access to fast and reliable connectivity. The ultra-reliable low latency communication (uRLLC) of 5G comes with 99.99% reliability, providing healthcare providers with the mission-critical connectivity needed to care for their customers. This increased connectivity can enable new remote-monitoring devices that can keep tabs on high-risk patients as well as other connected medical devices that can deliver patient-centric care across the globe.
Retail: More than the bargain
Retail also stands to gain massively from the adoption of 5G. Retail operations built on 5G technologies can reduce customer wait times and create a seamless experience. Consumers can order online, receive designated pickup times and locations, and have their goods delivered directly by a store employee. 5G will also allow for more immersive and interactive imagery within their retail businesses and real-time data analytics for hyper-personalization. Warehouses powered by 5G will be able to vastly improve their productivity, order accuracy, and demand forecasting abilities.
Exciting developments like these open up a whole new world of possibilities.
Expectations from CSPs in the present landscape
Before we can fully realize a 5G future, we must update existing technology to be interoperable with 5G. This integration is essential for businesses to benefit from the wider network, which is crucial for CSPs and system integrators (SIs) to add value. With a variety of partners, CSPs are well-positioned to take advantage of capabilities like data mining, device connectivity, old-device modification, new-device support, spectrum management, and infrastructure development. For instance, an SI partner can link wired devices to the 5G backbone to monitor connections and decrease downtime brought on by failures and damage. But simultaneously, the current 5G paradigm expects CSPs and SIs to be all-rounded in their approach. They are expected to have:
- Vertical industry knowledge: Businesses expect CSPs to understand their industry and domain processes thoroughly. CSPs must be familiar with the specific pain points, economic considerations, and operations of the businesses they plan to work with.
- Use case development expertise: CSPs must design specialized solutions for businesses beyond conventional connectivity. CSPs will drive holistic value-added deployment from assessing the business' needs to choosing between public or private 5G networks and setting up the infrastructure to managed services.
- End-to-end from device to the cloud: CSPs can assist across the lifecycle, beginning with the device, how it connects to the 5G network, and the necessary platforms and lines of business applications powering an enterprise’s journey towards digital transformation, both at the edge and in the cloud.
Over the next few years, CSPs should reduce their dependency on voice and basic data connectivity for revenue growth while building a robust and field-tested suite of high-quality digital solutions and services aimed at enterprise customers and consumers.
The future of 5G connectivity
5G has grown more popular as private networks as they can meet strict data security requirements while still delivering excellent reliability, performance, and coverage. Public-safety agencies have been using these types of networks for some time. By granting spectrum for commercial uses, regulators are enabling the development of private 5G networks for commercial enterprises. For example, one of Wipro’s clients leverages low and high frequencies to achieve the highest-performing and best-coverage network in the US.
There are three potential 5G private-network models that CSPs and SIs can explore:
Independent networks
Independent networks are entirely private and have no shared components. These networks work well for businesses with extensive operations and highly specialized demands. With assistance from network equipment vendors, automotive leaders like Bosch, Daimler, and Volkswagen have already begun testing independent networks. Businesses can construct and maintain independent networks or hire telcos, network equipment suppliers, or other outside providers. The investment depends on the size of the site and the particular requirements, such as the number of device connections and requirements for latency, speed, and reliability.
Shared networks
While the core and application layers remain private, different businesses at the same site may share the radio access network (both antennas and base stations). A third party will likely manage this shared network. This strategy may be effective when numerous businesses are in the same space, as at industrial campuses or shipping terminals.
Network slicing
A mobile operator in this model offers a virtual private network on top of its physical network infrastructure. As network components are shared, deployment is simple, and costs are low. As a result, it is suited best for small production facilities connected to a commercial network.
The verdict
2022 saw successful tests of mmWave that achieved higher speeds and lower latency than sub-6 GHz. While there is an ongoing debate around mmWave's feasibility as it requires proximity to a transmitter, the success of the test indicates that standalone mmWave 5G can play a crucial role in increasing private data demand and offer higher network capacity at a lower cost to CSPs and SIs.
industry leaders expect the next big wave of 5G in 2023. They predict that 5G connections will grow to around 1.5 billion by the end of 2023 and reach two billion by 2025 . These predictions forecast 5G's rollout as being faster than 3G and 4G.
The possibilities of 5G are endless. From revolutionizing logistics and enabling autonomous driving experiences, to creating stadiums of the future and improving care delivery, 5G technology has the potential to change the world we live in. As the technology advances, so do the possibilities for real-world applications. Communication service providers (CSPs) are uniquely poised to support and co-create value for every stakeholder in this fast-lane ecosystem. Providers who enabled early adoption of 4G for their customers before rivals benefited from higher revenue and market share . The same holds true for 5G. With an expected estimated $13.2 trillion in global economic value by 2035, 5G’s intelligent connectivity will be a catalyst for socioeconomic growth in Industry 4.0 . This $13.2 trillion can translate to trillions of opportunities for businesses.
For any tech to be an indispensable part of our life, it has to become invisible. How does 5G get there? CSPs must create partner ecosystems capable of supplying comprehensive next-generation business solutions and seek partners with networking acumen, vertical domain expertise, Industry 4.0 framework traversing prowess, and a track record of resolving enterprise business issues. For CSPs to successfully deliver value-added 5G-enabled solutions that will fuel their next wave of development, they must possess these abilities and more.
Authored by:
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Lalit Kashyap |
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Dean Willard Global Account Executive, Americas |