5G wireless technology brings massive application potentials across industries. In fact, early adopters in the field of healthcare, manufacturing, retail and automotive are already incorporating 5G wireless technology in selected processes. From a peak speed perspective, 5G wireless technology is a massive breakthrough. With an internet speed of 20 Gbps, 5G wireless technology is 200 times faster than 4G. Similarly, 5G has an ultra-low latency rate, which is the delay between the sending and receiving of information. While 4G has an average delay of 100 to 200 milliseconds, 5G has shrunk the latency rate to 1 millisecond.
With speed and almost-real-time transmission capacity, 5G wireless technology is paving the way towards a promising future of connectivity.
Tapping the 5G Advantage
Without doubt, 4G wireless technology has introduced new means of technology consumption, but it carries certain limitations with it. With an increasing number of devices connected to the internet, it is necessary to develop a wireless technology that can accommodate more connections and transmit large sums of data at lightning speed. Moreover, as automation starts to cut through various industries, reliable wireless technology is critical for fast data transmission.
Historically, research around 5G overlaps with developments around its predecessor, 4G wireless technology. In fact, some of the 5G technology was established as 4G wireless technology was being rolled out. With existing wireless technologies and development of new innovations (such as the use of millimeter waves, massive MIMO, small cell, beamforming, and full duplex), current limitations with connectivity will hopefully be addressed by 5G wireless technology.
With 5G wireless technology and its capacity to transmit massive amounts of data at almost real-time speed, mobile user experience and connectivity will tremendously improve. More so, as 5G wireless technology is deemed more flexible – it can accommodate a wider array of devices, wearables, and sensors, robots, autonomous cars – the potential applications of 5G is promising. Clearly, it can be said that the future of connectivity is 5G.
Trailblazers in the 5G Wireless Technology Scene
The industry-wide rollout for 5G wireless technology started in 2018 and is expected to be commercially-accessible by the year 2020. The Global Mobile Suppliers Association (GSMA) predicts that wide-spread access will climb up to 1.2 billion people by 2025. With a massive market potential, a number of companies play key roles in the developing 5G wireless technology scene.
- Qualcomm leads the race as a maker of smartphone communication chips and owner of a number of 5G wireless technology patents. The company’s role in the 5G race is essential as both handset makers (Acer, HTC, Sony Erickson, and Lenovo) and chipset manufacturers (Samsung, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) leverage on Qualcomm’s 5G wireless technology.
- Speaking of Handset and smartphone companies, the first commercially available 5G-ready device, Motorola launched Moto Z3 – was launched on April 11, 2019. Apple is not far behind with plans to unveil a 5G iPhone by the year 2020. While Google’s Pixel 4 is set to be released in October 2019.
- At the beginning of April 2019, Verizon flipped on the 5G switch for two cities in the US – Chicago and Minneapolis. Other mobile companies like AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile vouched to unveil their 5G plans in the next coming months.
- SK Telecom and Samsung’s partnership launched the first countrywide commercial 5G mobile network in South Korea, the first week of April 2019, besting other countries such as Japan and the US.
- Toyota Motor Corporation and Japanese mobile network, NTT DoCoMo has successfully controlled the T-HR3 robot using a 5G network. The partnership aims to develop applications using humanoid robot technology.
Startups Joining the Race to 5G
While established names dominate the 5G race, a number of startup companies are gaining. They include:
- Movandi is a venture-backed startup by founders Maryam Rofougaran and Reza Rofougaran. Through Movandi’s technology called Beam XR 5G Technology, the startup offers a modular and scalable solution that increases millimeter wave coverage and decrease latency.
- Phazr is an upstart mmWave Beam Forming antenna manufacturer offering multisector 5G cell solution. According to Phazr CEO and founder Farooq Khan, Phazr was the first 5G solutions provider to be granted both FCC and CE certification for its millimeter-wave radios. Last December 2018, Phazr was acquired by JMA Wireless.
- Pivotal Commware presents a breakthrough in electromagnetic physics through Holographic Beam Forming™ (HBF). This technology works by intercepting and amplifying the signal, which improves 5G reception inside buildings. Moreover, the company provides custom-made software and software-defined antennas and radios for enhanced wireless connectivity.
A World of Possibilities with 5G Wireless Technology
We are seeing the first rays of the future of connectivity. In healthcare, wearables tracking patient’s vital sign serve as a foundation for the future of personalized home care. The manufacturing industry is steadily adopting artificial intelligence in their workflows. Self-driving cars are gradually paving the way for autonomous driving. And in retail, merchants have been turning to data analytics and Omni channels to better serve the market. Technological marvels such as remote robotic surgeries, autonomous vehicles, and efficient fully-automated manufacturing are now near-future possibilities. The rollout of 5G wireless technology is slow and gradual due to infrastructure limitations. But it cannot be denied that a future of connectivity is upon us.
