Introduction to 5G

5G is the latest iteration of cellular technology, representing a significant advancement in various aspects, including spectrum frequencies, radio, and core network. Unlike its predecessor, 4G, which primarily boosted the app economy and mobile video, 5G serves as a foundation for entirely novel innovations.

According to data, businesses who invest in cutting-edge network technologies like 5G will see revenue growth that is 2.5 times quicker over the following three years.

What distinguishes 5G from 4G?

The evolution of mobile networks started with 1G, which allowed for mobile voice calls, and continued with the arrival of 2G that introduced text messaging capabilities. With the introduction of 3G, the network expanded to accommodate mobile voice, text, and data. Finally, 4G brought mobile internet to the mix, enabling seamless connectivity between people and technology.

5G is poised to revolutionize the way we connect people, machines, objects, and devices, ushering in a new era of convergence between the physical and digital worlds. With its ability to offer hyper-personalization for specific use cases, 5G presents an array of exciting possibilities. Moreover, by leveraging network slices or private network deployments, organizations can further enhance their cloud operations with 5G technology, allowing for greater customization and optimization.

Why is 5G required?

Cloud and 5G
The modern era's cloud-based infrastructure, distributed workforce, and edge devices were not initially designed for earlier network technologies. However, with the aid of other cutting-edge technologies such as edge, open radio access network (O-RAN), and software-defined wide area network/secure access service edge (SD-WAN/SASE), cloud-enabled networks empowered by 5G can seamlessly connect across the Cloud Continuum's dynamic capabilities, from the public to the edge and everything in between. As more companies shift towards the cloud, we are only just beginning to observe the business impact of 5G.

5G in industry
The economy is already being transformed by 5G technology, which promotes economic growth by:

5G technology has the potential to create new markets for goods and services, much like how 4G unlocked the app economy. With increased bandwidth and near real-time answers, 5G can pave the way for the industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and mission-critical goods and services. It can also lead to increased productivity and cost savings, thereby increasing economic output from the same inputs.

Furthermore, by improving service quality, 5G can increase consumer willingness to pay for goods and services. With its quick data and insight-driven decision-making capabilities, 5G is expected to boost the US and European economies by up to $1.5 trillion and €1 trillion, respectively, over the next five years (2021-2025).

Here is an overview of how it will affect various industries and communications service providers (CSPs):

To take advantage of the Cloud Continuum's benefits, enterprises need to invest in 5G and update their corporate networks.


Communications service providers
As the suppliers of 5G networks, equipment, and services, CSPs are set to play a key role in the adoption of 5G. With increased bandwidth, decreased latency, and the widespread use of post-smartphone devices, CSPs will be able to offer improved services and generate better revenues. They can also expand beyond just providing connectivity by offering new goods and services.

Healthcare
5G technology will enable high-quality and large-scale medical data to be processed quickly, which can improve mobile and home care, ensure higher reliability, and reduce latency in crucial patient applications.

Manufacturing
The flexibility, visibility, and security offered by 5G technology can revolutionize manufacturing by supporting configurable factories, mobile robots, time-sensitive networks, and more cost-effective maintenance.

Automotive
5G can enhance transportation safety, particularly in the development of driverless cars. It also provides increased bandwidth and edge computing capacity for machine-to-machine (M2M) feedback loops, vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), and vehicle-to-network (V2N) services.

Utilities
5G technology can improve asset management in utilities through real-time data monitoring and risk reduction. It can also increase worker productivity and safety, support grid modernization and resilience, reduce operational costs, and enable asset monetization.

Retail
5G's metaverse technologies such as virtual reality (VR) can transform the retail industry by creating reimagined brand and shopping experiences for customers.

Education
5G technology can enable augmented reality (AR)-driven learning, creating more dynamic and connected classrooms and providing better access to resources to promote stronger connections and democratize education.

5G can pave the way for the industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and mission-critical goods and services

What can 5G offer?

5G's transformational potential is supported by these five areas:


mIoT (Massive Internet of Things)
5G's dense connectivity can enable simultaneous connectivity of up to 1 million connections per square kilometer. This feature is crucial to deploy advanced large IoT applications.

eMBB (Enhanced mobile broadband)
5G provides tremendous bandwidth and speeds of up to 10 gigabytes per second, making it possible to transfer rich data, such as ultra-high-definition video and data volumes. High-speed mobile broadband makes applications like extended reality (XR) and virtual reality (VR) possible, which require substantial data transfer in both directions.

Private wireless
Private wireless networks offer a dedicated, on-premises network solution that can secure mission-critical company processes. 5G campus networks support both indoor and outdoor operations without being hindered by legacy and ad hoc wireless designs. According to a study, 67% of executives intend to deploy a 5G campus network, while 84% plan to invest in a new campus network or upgrade an existing one.

Network slicing
Network slicing is a solution that allows a connectivity provider (such as a carrier) to develop a connectivity solution tailored to a customer's needs (such as a utility business) by providing them with a "slice" of the public network that meets their needs.

MCS (Mission-critical services)
5G can transport network traffic with latencies as low as a millisecond, making it reliable and fast enough for mission-critical applications like remote intensive care units, where every second counts.


Design, analysis, implementation, and testing are the development criteria for 5G. Be ready for 5G

The transition to 5G networks not only enables new experiences, productivity gains, and revenue streams but also helps to maximize the benefits of the Cloud Continuum. By replacing legacy networks, 5G technology contributes to sustainability by reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions.

5G enabled Novel applications

5G's role in sustainability
With its numerous applications, 5G technology can play a significant role in achieving sustainability goals. From connected and automated agriculture to intelligent energy grids and asset management, as well as enhanced vehicle safety and automation, remote healthcare, and even remote surgeries, the potential benefits of 5G are vast.

5G in Manufacturing for Energy Savings
The combination of 5G, fiber, and cloud technologies can enable automation, machine learning, and digital twins, which can help to achieve energy savings in manufacturing. These advancements can help drive sustainability efforts by reducing energy consumption.

5G in Utilities for Grid Optimization and Emissions Reduction
The energy supply and demand balance is critical in grid optimization to avoid any grid losses. The use of sensors, drones, and real-time monitoring enabled by 5G technology can help reduce emissions and anticipate potential issues in advance. Such advancements can help to make utility systems more efficient and sustainable.

5G in Agriculture for Environmental Impact Reduction
By using sensors in conjunction with real-time monitoring systems enabled by automation and 5G connectivity, agriculture can become more sustainable. Such advancements can help reduce the industry's environmental impact by providing precise information about crop health, soil moisture, and nutrient levels, among other things.

The industries with the most advanced 5G transitions are those in manufacturing, healthcare, and natural resources.