What is 5G and Why Should You Care?

The short answer: endless possibilities. 5G is the next generation of communication technology, linking high speed, low latency and wireless services altogether. With a millisecond latency and capability of transferring 10Gbps, the 5G is an equivalent to wireline speeds. It will transform the economy, health care, cities and local communities.

5G – types of networks

There are two major types of 5G networks – fixed 5G wireless broadband and mobile 5G cellular. Both will become widely available in 2020, with early adoption for some markets and areas in 2019. Yes, users will have the ability to download movies in a blink of an eye, but the full potential can be embraced through industrial usage. Remote medical procedures, for example, create a unique opportunity for young doctors to learn from more experienced colleagues, no matter where they live and work. And that’s only the tip of the iceberg.

The most unique thing about 5G is a feature called network slicing. The concept is to deploy services across the 5G network that are defined by stated service legal agreements (SLAs). Network slicing allows for the creation of construction of a custom network that includes highly, single-point focused components. Low-latency, data speed or security can run in dedicated or shared networks, effectively supporting not only the entire organization but also specific teams and even tasks performed by these teams. This is the possibility to create an independent yet integrated communications service. That means an organization using 5G can benefit from both a local and a global network, sharing data and services when needed. This brings more flexibility across various devices in the company; a person can pick up the task where he/she left off and continue it not only on another device but in another network – with all data transferred in milliseconds. Large organizations are the best example here – companies have often more than one factory site or building in a HQ complex, therefore 5G benefits them in a ‘horizontal way’, so to speak. In other words, 5G can be seen as a system of systems and there wouldn’t be much exaggeration in that statement.

5G – the usage

There are three scenarios of usage for 5G, defined by the International Telecommunication Union:

• Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) for high-speed access, also for stationary access (fixed wireless access)
• Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communications for usage requiring extremely low latency (below 1ms) or high-reliability level
• massive Machine Type Communications (mMTC) for a wide spectrum of usage for Internet of Things (IoT), with the ability to service up to 1 mln devices for 1 km²

The tech inside is important, but what matters the most for business? Automation, transmission rates, optimized latency, security, quality of service, time-to-market and naturally, cost. Manufacturing, healthcare, transport, automotive, energy, agriculture, retail, media and entertainment – all can utilize the unparalleled efficiency of the new standard. And we’re ready for it at CSHARK with the IoT platform for mixed and live data processing to be unveiled soon at the Hannover Messe 2019!