Delhi, Gurgaon, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, and Pune will be the first places to get 5G services next year, the Department of Telecommunications (Dot) said in an official statement on Monday (December 27). Fifth generation wireless – better known as 5G – promises anytime, anywhere connectivity that works 20 times faster than the previous generation, opening the door to a wide variety of new services and potential solutions, and ushering in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
What is 5G technology, how is it different?
This new form of wireless access previously inaccessible high-frequency millimeter radio waves, between 30 and 300 Gigahertz – and that is the real Game changer. Once developed, all devices that run on the 5G NR (new radio) standard will no longer need to be connected to hotspots, introducing an era of constant connectivity, as well as tremendous speed increases.
Where does India stand in the 5G technology race?
Like other global players, India had, in 2018, planned to start 5G services as soon as possible, with an aim to capitalize on the better network speeds and strength that the technology promised.
What is the global progress on 5G?
More than governments, global telecom companies have started building 5G networks and rolling it out to their customers on a trial basis. In countries like the US, companies such as AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon have taken the lead when it comes to rolling out commercial 5G for their users. In other countries such as China, The telcos such as China uni com had started 5G trials as early as 2018, and have since rolled out the commercial services for users. South Korean company Samsung, which had started researching on 5G technology way back in 2011, has taken the lead when it comes to building the hardware for 5G networks for several companies.
The Fourth Industrial Revolution
The dramatic efficiency gains anticipated relate to the expansion of the Internet of Things. Smart, connected systems will be able to only use the power and resources that they need. This, along with the ability to sense when maintenance is needed, can significantly reduce the resources required in nearly every industry, including manufacturing, logistics, public transport systems, and distribution. Additionally, there will be an emergence of products and services that we haven’t yet imagined.
The 5G diet
One of the greatest concerns facing our future is food scarcity. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization predicts that in order to provide for the world’s rapidly rising population, we will need to produce 70% more food in 2050 than in 2009. The agriculture industry is becoming increasingly automated, however, the current systems could be improved dramatically with advanced connectivity. 5G connected sensors allocated to monitor crops can assess the application of fertilizers and pesticides, irrigation methods, and autonomous tractors that sow seeds, in order to optimize farming and produce a greater yield.
Cyber-Attacks
A more connected world means that we are more vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Relying on 5G technology means that attacks will be increasingly more devastating to businesses and individuals. Implementation of strict regulation will be necessary to safeguard our future society, and this needs to be decided now. As cyber-attacks become more devastating, will they change the way we view crime? Governments should recognize the severity of internet crime and consider what changes need to be made to help societies understand cyber-safety.
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