In this blog post by AICoreSpot, we will discuss 5G and what avenues are present from facilitating ubiquitous connectivity. 5G can be revolutionary, catalysing self-driving vehicles and the Internet-of-things and making Edge Computing and AI (Artificial Intelligence) more widespread. To start with though, we must move beyond many gross misconceptions and outright myths surrounding this nascent technology. 

Jeff Edlund, Chief Technology Officer of Communications and Media Solutions, HPE and Stuart Strickland, eminent technologist on the CTO team discussed the confusion with regards to 5G, clearing up these misconceptions and improving our understanding of this technology. 

Strickland speaks about some of the confusion with regards to 5G, stating that it’s not merely a new generation of radios, but instead an entire new toolbox of technology. He believes that we are no more residing in a planet in which smartphones connect to mobile networks and laptops connect to WiFi. We’re witnessing an onslaught of divergent devices, machines, sensors, cameras, control services, and every one of those has their own particular requirements. 5G and WiFi 6 intend to serve these new advancements. 

Speaking of the controversy surrounding 5G, and if it is a force for the ultimate good, he says the answer to that question is dependent on the users, and the economic and political influences at play, rather than on the technology. He believes we can leverage this opportunity to disperse instead of focus power. It does provide avenues for local environments, whether those are under corporate or individual management to deploy assets that were prior at this entire province of minimal mobile network providers. 

Definitely, the avenues and advantages of 5G are manifold. Edlund states one of the main things about the technology is that it assists the service provider shift away from proprietary telecom protocols and methodologies and enables them to utilize much more open and secure technologies. Simultaneously, it harnesses the cloud and it’s going to enable them to reduce a lot of expenditure within the business at large. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has influenced an interesting swerve in the discourse surrounding 5G. Strickland states that the speed of change has witnessed an evolution, as an outcome, everyone had to become more conscious with regards to network strategies – particularly as staff members of organizations begin working remotely. This is a trend that is expected to continue onward even in the post-pandemic era, as COVID-19, while devastating has influenced a lot of positive paradigm shifts within society. 

When will the rollout be complete? Edlund specifies we are required to contemplate about this matter as a game going on for nine innings or perhaps even more – all dependent on the score. He states that if we look at the fashion in which the mobile domain has managed all of the prior generations of communications technologies, it’s been essentially on decade long cycles. And he doesn’t think the equation is going to be modified with this iteration. 

Edlund also specifies that organizations need to really look into and widen their techniques regarding data strategy. As they begin to commence deployment of 5G networks, the amount of information that can be transmitted, and what can be created, is massive. And organizations are really required to demonstrate adequate planning in this regard. 

5G can assist us to bring in all the connectivity we require for our enterprises, vehicles, cities, and everything in between. The future of more ubiquitous connectivity can be ours if only we choose to welcome it with open arms.