The way we live and work today is constantly evolving thanks to the addition of newer technologies. For some time now, the IoT (Internet of Things) sector has introduced a number of new innovations that have already been supporting multiple industries.
However, while IoT continues to provide valuable solutions to organizations, the introduction of 5G technology is beginning to redefine its capabilities. With 5G’s lightning-fast speeds, ultra-low latency and the ability to significantly expand on IoT use cases, there is now a world of possibilities for this disruptive technology.
How is 5G Different Than Previous Celluar Technologies?
Most people by now have already heard of the term “5G,” but may not be entirely sure why its such a leap forward when compared to older cellular technologies.
Following the footsteps of 3G and 4G technology, 5G has introduced significantly faster download speeds that support continuous streaming and communication technologies – taking cellular mobility to a completely different level.
5G gives users and connected devices the ability to download high-volume data feeds like video in a matter of seconds. This is due to the technology’s ability to support downloads speeds of up to 10 gigabits per second – ten times the speed that 4G technology afforded.
Outside of the major improvements in speed, 5G technology has also dramatically cut down on network latency, which can cause interruptions as data travels between different devices. With latency levels being reduced
What is 5G Introducing into IoT?
With 5G becoming the new standard in the development of wireless technologies, there are a number of improvements it can bring to IoT solutions:
Faster Speeds and Lower Latency
Because of 5G’s significantly faster speeds and minimal latency, it allows IoT device sensors to collect and transmit data much faster than traditional IoT infrastructures have supported. This ability to provide real-time data transmissions with essentially no delays allows for critical decision-making commonly needed in industrial automation settings.
For example, manufacturing plants, machinery and production equipment housed with IoT sensors can instantly communicate and optimize production levels, while government sectors can develop smarter cities with IoT traffic sensors and surveillance systems – leading to safer and more efficient urban areas.
Improved Networking Capabilities
One of the challenges with traditional IoT solutions is that they can be limited when needing to be used on an expanding network. 5G technology allows for increased network capacity, which supports the design of a much more expansive network of IoT devices.
This is essential in more complex integrations like smart buildings and cities. Considering this type of application requires the use of thousands of sensors that monitor air quality, traffic flow, or energy consumption, the ability to support seamless data transmission is critical.
More Advanced IoT Use Cases
As 5G technology continues to be more widely adopted in various industries, it has continued to expand the possible use cases for IoT. One area where 5G is making a considerable impact is in the automotive industry, where next-generation vehicles are now integrating the technology to support autonomous capabilities and other key features.
With most modern vehicles now equipped with GPS navigation and AI-powered features, 5G connectivity is supporting much more accurate and useful applications that depend on high bandwidth and low latency. This step forward in mobile technology is helping to improve both the user experience and vehicle safety and efficiency.
What are the Recent Developments of 5G and IoT Integrations?
Although 5G isn’t considered a new technology concept anymore, this doesn’t mean that all areas around the world have been able to fully adopt it. In fact, many regions still lack the necessary infrastructure required to support the technology. Even in the U.S., there is still room for improvement.
Still, today, the majority of telecom companies are actively investing in 5G infrastructure as the new gold standard for wireless connectivity. However, there are significant costs associated with building out a nationwide network, which means 4G will still run parallel with the newer technology for quite some time.
Regardless of these setbacks, however, 5G technology is already making considerable improvements in the IoT sector, especially in areas like manufacturing and automotive industries.
Still, there are some challenges and additional considerations that need to be made before we can expect to see wide-scale adoption of 5G and IoT integrations. These include:
- Infrastructure Hurdles – Rolling out a 5G network requires a significant investment in supporting infrastructure. This can be a major financial hurdle in many areas, leading to the slower availability and adoption of 5G technology.
- Device Compatibility Concerns – Although newer IoT devices are being produced with 5G compatibility as a higher priority, many legacy devices aren’t equipped to be cross-compatible with newer wireless technologies. This can lead to increased costs for organizations looking to upgrade or replace their existing IoT solutions.
- Navigating Cybersecurity Landscapes – The increased connectivity of 5G-integrated IoT solutions raises a number of concerns regarding new cybersecurity risks. As the technology continues to develop, it becomes critical to better understand and mitigate these issues before it will be more readily adopted in various industries.
- Energy Consumption Issues – Since most IoT sensors are battery-powered, increasing their capabilities with much more powerful 5G technology while reducing battery consumption is challenging. This can be problematic when batteries need to be replaced or recharged too often and may make specific IoT solutions impractical without other improvements in energy efficiency.
What Does the Future of IoT Look Like?
The global number of IoT devices is expected to reach 25 billion by 2025. With the new capabilities that 5G unlocks, this projection is expected to continue climbing over the next year.
Still, despite the progress being made in 5G and IoT, ethical responsibilities still need to be considered to ensure the safe use of this technology by organizations. This added due diligence will ensure that the benefits of 5G and IoT implementations are used responsibly while keeping networks safe and protecting user data privacy.
