There has been a significant rise in advancements in telecommunications with the arrival of fifth-generation (5G) mobile networks. As 5G seamlessly exceeds its predecessor by offering faster downloads, lower latency, and expanded bandwidth, it is expected to increase mobile data traffic to almost 330 exabytes (1 billion GB) per month by 2028. This amount of digital storage was unattainable a few years ago, but with the growing uses of IoT connectivity technologies, large volumes of data storage are becoming more and more relevant.
To enable all such transfers of real-time data from one source to another seamlessly, Airtel business offers several IoT services for industries looking to optimize their operational values.
5G and IoT: An overview
5G is a fifth-generation wireless technology of mobile networks aimed to deliver better connectivity in the global market. It has been designed to offer virtual abilities that can connect everything seamlessly, be it users, machines, or individual objects. In comparison to its predecessors, 5G has increased mobile data volume per area by 1000 times, improved connectivity to multiple devices by 100 times, increased data usage by another 100 times, improved battery life of large machine communications by 10 times, and reduced end-to-end latency by 5 times.
As 5G became more relevant since its global deployment in April 2019 by Verizon, it further intensified the growth of IoT applications. The Internet of Things is a network of physical devices connected with the help of modern technologies like sensors, networks, and software that allow the transfer of data exchange from one source to another. This technology facilitates smart devices, industrial machinery, and healthcare equipment in various sectors. Even though IoT devices previously operated on the 4G network, the adoption of 5G has accelerated its expansion towards modern procedures.
Industrial impacts of 5G-integrated IoT technology
According to McKinsey, even if only four of the most commercially developed industries, like healthcare, mobility, retail, and manufacturing sectors, deploy 5G successfully, the global GDP will substantially increase up to $2 trillion by 2030. Additionally, the convergence of the same with IoT is believed to possess significant potential in reshaping the future of business operations.
Key industrial impacts:
- Smart factories and Industry 4.0
5G plays an important role in the operations of smart factories by offering continuous connectivity across sensors, machines, and mobile networks. This seamless connectivity allows the exchange of data across various services and increases operational accuracies.
- Advanced automation and robotics
Due to the technology’s ultra-low latency, 5G-powered IoT devices offer device monitoring of industrial machinery in real-time and allow businesses to control their operations in remote settings using robotics. This allows companies to increase their productivity, encourages worker safety, and decreases downtime.
- Intelligent automation
IoT technologies integrated with 5G networks enable the possibilities of intelligent automation across multiple industries. From smart devices like self-driving cars to machines that can diagnose health hazards, this technical collaboration has paved the way for the advancement of futuristic technologies.
Key benefits of 5G-Powered IoT technology
It is fair to assume that the evolution of 5G has had a direct impact on the leading technologies of IoT connectivity, including WiFi, Bluetooth and Cellular IoT. Out of these three, Cellular IoT has adapted about 20% of the global IoT connections and has subsequently grown over 27% as of 2022. This increase has been largely attributed to modern technologies like LTE-M and NB-IoT, which are complemented in the 5G space. This overview provides an extended example of how 5G benefits industries through the IoT ecosystem.
Key benefits:
- Faster connectivity
5G provides faster download speeds, allowing continuous exchange of data without any interruptions. This increases the response rates of real-time data in IoT devices, marking an amazing milestone critical towards industrial automation and vehicles.
- Reduced latency
5G has successfully achieved a reduction in latency by 5 times as compared to its previous generations. This reduction in delay allows IoT devices to make faster decisions, saving critical time and improving the system’s efficiency overall.
- Improved capacity
5G can easily accommodate multiple sets of connected devices. This allows further expansion of IoT applications in the digital spectrum, escalating IoT scalability and innovation.
- Energy efficient
5G has successfully reduced energy consumption by extending the battery life of IoT devices. This minimization allows the long-term usability of IoT technologies and saves the environment from harm by promoting sustainability.
- Safety and security
5G provides meticulously designed security protocols that safeguard a user’s privacy and data integrity. This allows users to transfer data in confidence, boosting a secure and reliable source of exchange.
The future Of 5G integrated IoT
Despite potential challenges faced during 5G implementation, there has been an increasing demand for the network as the preferred choice for future technology. Being one of the fastest networks in the market, providing better speed and reliability, it is expected to drive global enterprises with profits exceeding $700 billion. Furthermore, according to JP Morgan reports, the future growth of the network is considered to be highly driven by consumer demands, as seen in the current South Korean market, where users are willing to pay 20% premium charges to increase their 5G connectivity.
This intensifies the future stability of the technology and its potential to drive companies to utilize its services. Moving with its popularity, Airtel business has optimized its services to accommodate all future possibilities of the 5G market through its extensive suite of 5G integrated IoT services. From cellular networks to tailored solutions for unique business requirements, Airtel’s IoT connectivity technologies enable billions of devices to stay connected and safe.
Conclusion
Credible sources ranging from McKinsey to JP Morgan have emphasized the growing demand for 5G and its involvement in accelerating the global economy. This presumption seems relevant with several businesses continuing to adopt 5G within their operational systems due to the benefits that come along with IoT and 5G together. So far, the results have successfully satisfied multiple demands of the current business models, proving its efficiency and position for future success.
For similar information on 5G and IoT services, visit Airtel.
