In recent years, 5G has solidified its position as being imperative in the advancement of technology. As society continues to become more efficient and we continue working and receiving education from home, 5G becomes more ingrained in our wireless infrastructure strategies. And while 5G may make our lives easier, there are still misconceptions and concerns when it comes to deployments. However, the good news is you can prepare yourself - and your business - for these concerns and create contingency plans to avoid them or minimize any issues caused by them.
The Concerns
There are a few main categories when it comes to 5G deployment obstacles; access and cooperation. When it comes to access, the main concerns include access to fiber, power and 5G radioheads. Without access to fiber, you can’t access the network. And without access to power, you can’t operate your radioheads, if you even have the correct wireless sites to mount them. What we are left with is a domino effect of connectivity related issues, which can make getting your project off the ground daunting.
When it comes to cooperation, there are two prongs: the public and municipalities. When it comes to municipalities, this can mean issues with permit acquisition. Whether it be for permit application access or approval timelines, these kinds of concerns can cause major setbacks for a 5G project. And when it comes to the public, that is an entirely different issue.
Misconceptions about wireless technology have always been an issue, and 5G is no exception. Unfounded public concerns about radiation exposure and an increased likelihood of individuals to be tracked or surveilled have been around since the dawn of the internet. The difference now being that most households have a router that provides WiFi, and that there are likely multiple objects within these households that operate over the network. And, since 5G brings connections closer to end-users, there is the concern that hardware installed in neighborhoods and cities is an eyesore.
How Do We Overcome?
To overcome concerns with perception and access to permits, we must continue to rally behind 5G as an industry. The more we can prove that 5G is a key factor to the continued advancement of technology, the more we can fight for cooperation of 5G infrastructure construction within municipalities. Then we can assuage the public’s fears. We can also do this through continued education. It is up to us to educate the public on the safety and effectiveness of 5G.
When it comes to deployment, proper and thorough preparation are the keys to worry-free projects. To ensure this, your best bet is to partner with companies that have a wealth of experience in 5G deployment. From planning to construction and even the turning on of service, having experienced partners on your side will ensure your projects don’t hit unexpected roadblocks. When you work with inexperienced crews, mistakes happen. These mistakes can end up delaying projects and costing a lot of money to solve. Crews who specialize in 5G and wireless construction and deployment are better equipped to understand if your projects are feasible within your expectations and your space. They will oftentimes have a clear understanding of local municipalities and permitting timelines, so they can accurately map out project timelines, costs and permits without hitting too many unexpected roadblocks.
5G is Here to Stay
We are continuing to grow as a society and becoming more efficient. Today we’re working from home and educating our children using wireless technology. The COVID-19 pandemic has proven that wireless communications is a beneficial platform. 5G is the continued evolution of an infrastructure that everyone requires. Life has radically changed over the last year from remote education, remote work, remote healthcare and even remote leisure like cooking or workout classes. This has put a significant strain on our existing network infrastructure that the widespread adoption of 5G could alleviate greatly. With properties of 5G such as enhanced bandwidth, the ability to disaggregate and aggregate when needed allows network designers and network operators to deliver network services to their customers. We can directly address this network strain and other issues when it comes to 5G. This begs the question; why wouldn’t we want to continue investing in this technology?
By Robert Bianco, Vice President of Business Development and Marketing, Hylan and Walter Cannon, Vice President of Business Development, ZenFi Networks