Flexible display of technology Credit: Arizona State University Prospectus April 2006/Wikimedia
The leading tech companies took a key step this week toward full-scale development of the fifth generation of wireless networks, 5G, which with its lightning Internet pace promises to open up a new world of communication and innovation in a few years.
After deliberations, the world’s leading companies agreed in Lisbon on what is being called the first implementable 5G NR specification.
Qualcomm, which develops futuristic technologies, reports that the “completion of the first 5G NR standard has set the stage for the global mobile industry to start full-scale development of 5G NR for large-scale trials and commercial deployments as early as in 2019.”
But what exactly will 5G do for consumers?
First of all, let’s see where we are at the moment. The developed countries, and some parts of the developing world, are currently using 4G technology. With its faster pace than previous services, consumers have definitely enjoyed a much better quality of communication from watching favorite audio/video content on smart phones to downloading and exchanging research materials. This higher speed has also facilitated technological innovation and industrial output.
Smart phones, Photo: Senado Federal/Wikimedia Commons
But the worldwide demands are growing both in terms of consumer experience and quality of services as millions more take the digital highway.
What the 5G promises is unprecedented speed of communication at cost-effective prices and at the same time serve the unprecedented number of consumers.
It’s toward that end the endorsement of the standardization is being seen as an important milestone – a kick-start of efforts toward improving capabilities of existing systems, development of 5G and unfolding of new market opportunities.
Analysts say introduction and availability of 5G will change the future of industrial development as well as empower consumers with vast technological tools and services, enhancing productivity and fueling growth through innovation.
It will make the Internet of Things much bigger – a king of huge influence on lives and livelihoods.
On the other hand some analysts also see the possibility of seeing more questions arising from new technologies about the way we live now – from privacy concerns to misuse. Such concerns stem from ongoing issues with exposure to unsafe sites on the Internet, cysbersecurity needs and the unbridled dissemination of fake news, propaganda and intrusion on the social media platforms.
