The new, fifth generation of mobile communications is unlikely to become available to users until 2020, but it is already being referred to as Wi-Fi killer. Large amounts of data the technology will be able to transmit in seconds and, most importantly, its dizzying speeds can indeed gradually put Wi-Fi out of business. But how will 5G benefit large businesses? The American company CB Insights predicts that the technology will literally up-end the world’s largest industries, with the widespread introduction of autonomous cars and remote management of crop and livestock production. We will tell you about the most interesting and unexpected examples of the 20 industries 5G is going to change.
Smart plants
Thanks to the 5G technology, industrial production will finally have a chance to really smarten up, everywhere. Mechanical operations will become more flexible and efficient, and their safety will increase. Artificial intelligence, augmented reality and the internet of things will work here in full force, due to the large bandwidth of 5G networks, which will ensure greater penetration of the new technology. Augmented reality, for example, can be used at industrial facilities for training or repair. It will also significantly increase productivity: a project to introduce AR at Ericsson in Estonia has sent its productivity up 50%. Samsung and the AT&T telecom holding company are planning to create an Innovation Zone focused on using 5G in Austin, Texas (US).
5G for agribusiness
The use of 5G in the agro-industrial sector might lead to a wider introduction of the internet of things. Farmers all over the world are currently using advanced technologies to optimize agricultural processes, including the monitoring of water consumption and safety of livestock and crops. However, existing technology cannot process huge volumes of data. 5G will allow farmers to receive real-time data and increase the efficiency and safety of the industry.
Making tourism smarter
The 5G technology will provide for a rapid development of tourism: as CB Insights says, travel will become more intellectual and fascinating, and will attract more people. Many tourism organizations are currently working on technology related to 5G. For instance, West England has provided a £5 mio grant for the research of AR/VR technology to promote the landmarks of Bath and Bristol. In the meanwhile, Sweden’s Ericsson and Russia’s Rostelecom agreed to deploy a test 5G network in the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg. The 5G technology is currency being used by Ericsson to improve guided tours and in a robotic solution for the restoration of artworks.
Saving electricity
5G can also help developing innovative solutions in the production, delivery, distribution and use of electric energy. Due to the development of smart electricity grids, energy management will become more efficient and will reduce peak loads. Moreover, 5G will significantly increase the service life of equipment that works on batteries to up to 10 years. The technology will also allow for using drones to monitor production capacities, which will reduce business costs by 30%.
Digitizing medical services
Introducing the 5G technology in the healthcare sector could bring additional revenues of $76 billion by 2026. Most profitable are the opportunities related to medical data analysis ranging from patient information to processing results of clinical examinations and MRI and CT scan imaging. By 2020, the sector will produce about 2,314 exabytes of data; 5G low latency will allow transmitting data with no impact on the speed.
5G will also help extend service life of batteries in remote monitoring devices, which by this time will start sending data on a patient’s condition on a real-time basis. 5G networks can also simplify remote surgery procedures as they provide smooth and ultra-fast connection.
VR-immersive real estate
In the real estate sector, the 5G technology will lead to a common usage of AR and VR solutions. Real estate agents will offer virtual apartment tours. Access to VR tours will be truly invaluable for those seeking to purchase or rent real estate in other region or a country. They can make a VR trip to a resort or before purchasing a holiday tour.
Providing online transportation services
The 5G technology will allow greater control over transport systems, ranging from bus and tram services to private logistics parks. But most importantly, it will provide safety of self-driving vehicles operation on the roads: 5G will allow interaction between transport vehicles through a V2V technology online. Communication in the V2I format imply vehicles’ interaction with infrastructure such as traffic lights, bus stops and even roads. This will improve traffic control and make public transport services more efficient.
By Olga Blinova