In 2012, the 4G network came to life as a significant improvement from the previous networks (3G, 2G etc), and became the buzz for all telecommunication spaces. Some of the notable changes that came with the introduction of 4G included fast image and music downloads and almost buffer-free video streaming. Fast forward to 2020, and we now have the 5th Generation network being gradually rolled out. This for sure is certainly going to be a great game-changer in the industry. The 5G network is no different from the other networks, in the sense that it works through radio frequencies. However, its frequencies are much higher and move data quicker than the existing 4G and 3G networks. The speeds are expected to range between 50–100 times more than its predecessor, the 4G network.
It is believed that the new network will leverage artificial intelligence and denser, but small antennas. But will this affect your business? And if so, how will it change things, how will you prepare for this massive transformation? Before these questions are answered, we need to know what really makes 5G network to stand out from the conventional networks, what’s all the hype about 5G? Here are some of the 5G benefits: • It is faster than the previous networks. • It is designed to reduce latency which is the time that it takes for devices to communicate with each other. • It is designed to increase capacity, that is, it moves more data • It will support more than 250 devices per square kilometer. • It will guarantee 24/7 access to bandwidth from mobile devices. • It will bring the typical ‘dead spot’ to an end. • It will improve Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence(AI). • It will ensure better virtual technology application. • It will also help speed up technology advancements.
These advancements will enable connected cars and autonomous driving; smart cities with connected logistics, transport, and infrastructure; enhancement in connected healthcare from robotics to blockchain use. Considering the above improvements that comes with the 5G network, your business stands to gain a lot from the introduction of the network. If you are to look closely at how such a drastic change will impact your business, here are some of the things to consider: a) It will Improve Remote Working and Efficiency Initially, the former networks made it a challenge to use video links during communication due to freezes. With 5G, this will soon be a story for your grand-children.
It brings seamless connectivity without any disruptions. b) It will Enhance Branch Synergy Most developed businesses have several branches spread out across the nation. 5G for business will help all of these branches to transfer information at high speeds and securely. c) Reduced Dependency on Wi-Fi Due to the boosted speeds and efficiency, there will be little to no need for using Wi-Fi networks, especially for your staff. They can work from anywhere, literally. Having looked at the potential benefits your business stands to gain with the 5th generation network, here are some of the ways to get your business prepared: Get Your Systems Ready The advent of 5G network promises more than an essential improvement from the former. For instance, a video that took you between four to five minutes to download will now be ready in less than ten seconds — you can imagine the speed.
As much as your business may not be pegged on downloading videos, this is an excellent illustration of the incredible speed to expect from the 5G network. To tap from this network, you will need a 5G compatible phone; however, these phones should be able to switch between 4G and 5G to find the most stable service just like our current 4G devices can also switch to a 3G network. Make Your Strategy Early Don’t be the last minute business person. Not to mean that you must get the needed resources for installing 5G for business now, but rather developing the required strategy early enough. But how can one begin to strategize? It’s simple, start with analyzing the daily operations of your business and checking out how products, services, and processes will be affected by the 5th Generation network. Plan for the New Wave Of Automation You need to plan for the new wave of automation and artificial intelligence.
Since 5G lowers latency, there will be changes to how businesses will rely on their mobile networks. Businesses should work with engineers to re-think areas of operations where machines can be automated, and machine learning/artificial intelligence can be applied. Fortify your Big Data Analytics With the advent of the 5G network, data will grow at an accelerated pace with the growth of automation and artificial intelligence. Businesses should ensure they have the data analytics tools like Xplenty, Microsoft HDInsight, Skytree etc. capable of gleaning insights from this data. 5G Education Leaders and their employees need to understand what 5G is and how it can support business goals. They need to be on the lookout for ways 5G can positively impact the business. Whether your business will see the impact of 5G in one or five years, it is certainly coming. Businesses must prepare for the technology today in order to achieve the performance improvements the technology offers.
Fr. Jude Ibeh, OP is the Director of Verbum Networks Ltd, an ICT Solutions firm owned by the Dominican Fathers and Brothers of Nigeria and Ghana, which specializes in Web development and hosting, ICT Training, and provision of internet services. www.verbumnetworks.net