Written by Mysore Madhusudhan, Executive Vice President – Collaboration & Connected Solutions, Tata Communications.
According to GSMA, 5G is expected to contribute an impressive US$960 billion to global GDP.
One of the biggest impacts that 5G developments will bring is the advancement of Human-to-Everything connectivity. As more and more devices become connected to the internet, and to other devices, people will be able to interact in new and more powerful ways.
Anything can be connected, from factory floors, vehicles, remote sensors, and more.
A growth in standalone (or private) 5G networks will drive this, enabling new and immersive experiences that were not possible before.
Imagine using augmented reality (AR) on a vehicle manufacturing line to help assess faults in real-time. By bringing improved efficiency across the value chain, connectivity will act as a catalyst for further growth.
We can see this in action, with the number of devices connected to the Internet of Things (IoT) predicted to reach 30.9 billion by 2025, according to Statista.
Whether it’s from a mobile device or a controlled private location, IoT has allowed organisations to interact on a larger scale.
Connecting ordinary objects such as security systems and smartphones enables businesses to compete in the future, with data to power up decision-making.
For instance, there are already examples of sensors being used to monitor warehouse stock levels alongside GPS-enabled shopping carts.
It’s a win for consumers who have guaranteed access to the goods they want – and it’s a win for retailers who can anticipate demands more precisely and manage stock levels accordingly.
Looking ahead, the race to 6G is already intensifying across Asia Pacific. Singapore has announced its plans to launch Southeast Asia’s first 6G lab while South Korea aims to launch 6G by 2028.
Eventually, 6G is expected to allow even faster speeds and capacity than 5G by several levels of magnitude.
For instance, 6G internet will aim to support one microsecond latency communications – 1,000 times faster than what’s possible with 5G.
Some other potential applications of 6G internet include an integrated space-air-ground-sea network for truly global network coverage, and more efficient wireless access points which can handle more users simultaneously.
Mobile edge computing will also be built directly into all 6G networks, pushing the limits of Artificial Intelligence (AI) beyond what’s possible today.
