Yesterday, in our class, we had a discussion on the significance of 5G applications
Its easy to get mixed up about this topic – so here is a very simple way you can think of 5G applications
- Essentially, 5G is about low latency and high bandwidth
- Low latency basically enables many Internet of Things (IoT) applications
- High bandwidth enables a different class of applications such as augmented reality, video streaming etc
- The same can be done using other technologies (like WiFi)
- But the promise of 5G is that it is cellular (as opposed to proximity based) and scalable
- Also low latency can be achieved through the MEC. Multi-access edge computing (MEC) brings technology resources closer to the end user. Data is processed and stored at the network’s edge, not at some distant data center, significantly reducing latency. MEC provides both an IT service environment and cloud computing capabilities to help enable the real time enterprise.
Image source Verizon
6. Also for enterprise higher QOS(Quality of Service) and Security can be achieved through private 5G. The idea of private 5G is similar to Network Slicing for public carrier technology. It provides the same function as network slicing i.e. reliability but through dedicated wireless network infrastructure deployed at the Enterprise.
7. 5G applications and services are also likely to be CSP agnostic. That means, one telecom operator will have partnerships with multiple cloud providers and one cloud provider will have partnerships with multiple telecom providers. That is good for all parties and also the customers
What does it mean for applications?
Whether you are a factory, a stadium or a health care provider, you can provide richer applications that depend on low latency and high bandwidth. The current deployments for enterprise 5G(ex private 5G networks) are still at an early stage, but they should take off over time. Also, new areas like autonomous vehicles will need 5G connectivity. These are also in the future but will depend on 5G to be mainstream
Finally, for AI this means, more edge AI applications – delivered through either a cloud provider like Azure, AWS or GCP or through the telecom provider cloud platform itself
Image source pixabay
