What Does a 5G World Mean for the IoT Industry?

Featured article by Rick DelGado, Independent Technology Author

It seems like it wasn’t that long ago when people and businesses alike were excitedly talking about the possibilities and potential that accompanied the introduction of 4G networks. There’s little doubt that 4G has transformed how people use mobile devices and take advantage of internet connections, but already many experts are dreaming of what lies ahead with the fifth generation of mobile networks: 5G. Verizon may introduce the first 5G network as early as next year, while Samsung may show off its own 5G capabilities at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games. Whether this actually happens is yet to be seen, but most experts believe 5G will be commercially viable by 2020 at the latest. 5G is on its way, and while many will associate it with faster connection and download speeds, the true implications could be seen in how 5G fuels the Internet of Things (IoT). In fact, 5G could be the difference between a successful IoT industry and one that struggles to get off the ground.

First, let’s get one of the more obvious facets of 5G out of the way to start. Yes, 5G is going to be faster than 4G. Much faster. Some experts are even estimating will be as much as 100 times faster than current network capabilities, with download speeds clocking in at 800 GB per second. That is mind bogglingly fast, with people being able to download many HD movies every second. Whether 5G actually gets around to being that fast is a question yet to be answered, but one thing for sure is that it will still be significantly faster than 4G. A world where nearly every object, appliance, vehicle, building, and traffic light is connected to the internet requires that fast connection in order to gather and transmit data. Much of the IoT depends on real time data collection and analysis. Current network limitations have made the proliferation of the IoT difficult, but with 5G, businesses will feel more comfortable developing and releasing IoT products on a massive scale.

The speed of 5G is only part of the equation, however. Many estimates put the number of IoT devices in the tens of billions by the end of the decade. 5G not only increases network speed, but it greatly improves network capacity. This works by overhauling the radio spectrum, restructuring the radio network to ensure certain connections run on different frequency bands. What this means is that a local connection, for example, can run on a determined frequency, while connections taking place over longer distances use a different frequency. Think of it as a method of clearing up traffic congestion. IoT devices may be able to choose from different bandwidths for transmitting data, which effectively eliminates possible network overloads. Standardization of these different bandwidths and frequencies still has to take place, but it crucial for a smoothly functioning Internet of Things.

This overhaul means 5G can offer greater reliability of the IoT. Considering some of the objects and products that will be connected to the internet, improved reliability is an absolute must. If you’re traveling in a self-driving car, you wouldn’t want to suddenly lose a connection that could be the difference between a crash and a safe arrival. A surgeon performing a remote surgery doesn’t want to suddenly lose his connection with the wireless instruments used at the operation. Without reliability, the IoT will likely not catch on very quickly. Included with that is the need for low latency from action to response. 5G can help lower that latency, with some estimates putting it at only one millisecond.

5G also introduces networks with their own computing capabilities. Many IoT objects may not have the processing power needed to take full advantage of the IoT, but a 5G network may provide that for them. Computing power will be distributed, which opens up even more possibilities for other connected devices.

5G is looked at as a network that will be scalable and versatile, one capable of handling the added demands of the Internet of Things. This is of course welcome news for the IoT industry. Much like software defined storage vendors will gain from the IoT, individual businesses can see the potential 5G gives to those companies providing IoT products. It’s difficult to underestimate just how great of an impact the Internet of Things will have on our lives, but in order to make that happen, 5G will likely need to be a widespread success.

by Rick DelGado, Independent Author

“I’ve been blessed to have a successful career and have recently taken a step back to pursue my passion of writing. I’ve started doing freelance writing and I love to write about new technologies and how it can help us and our planet.” – Rick DelGado