Gaurav Mohan, VP, SAARC & Middle East, NETSCOUT explains how 5G is transforming industries and how enterprises can capitalize on its potential.
Regional network providers are making significant investments in next generation 5G architecture, with 5G connectivity estimated to account for 25% of all mobile connections by 2025. Reports estimate that the value of 5G B2B activities in the Middle East could reach $297 million by 2028, impacting numerous industries, including manufacturing, utilities, transportation, mining, healthcare, and many others.
5G in Action Across Industries
Extending our reality
- 5Gis enabling a slew of new technologies while also improving old ones, such as augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR). AR/VR applications are increasingly assisting technicians in the field. During the COVID-19 outbreak, a major airline used AR/VR to provide safer means for its crew to undertake aircraft maintenance, and it is now utilizing it to instruct staff on correct plane operation.
- With the addition of a VR head-mounted display and headphones, several airlines are now adopting VR to provide passengers with immersive entertainment. This gives customers the ability to unwind and enjoy their flight, even on a fully occupied flight, while using noise-cancelling equipment. By enabling customers to picture where they may be sat in the plane, they are also leveraging these technologies to help sell upgraded tickets to them.
- 5G can also provide an improved stadium experience. Teams can now provide a better viewing experience for fans inside and outside of the arena or stadium by allowing them to watch replays, look at player-and-play data, and virtually experience the field.
Connecting our world
- Businesses all across the world are working to develop autonomous vehicles that rely on 5G connectivity. With the UAE preparing to introduce driverless taxis in 2023, the use of autonomous cars will soon be a reality in the Middle East.
- With the advent of 5G, mining experiences are also evolving. Mining typically occurs in isolated, occasionally hazardous locations that are not frequently served by communication infrastructure. The installation of local, private 5G networks offers cutting-edge connectivity to help robotics and autonomous cars, lowering human risk in a potentially hazardous operation.
- To provide cutting-edge medical treatment to neglected and rural populations, the medical sector is also exploring novel concepts like remote diagnostics and surgery. Additionally, the pandemic highlighted the need for remote medical treatment. A potential remedy is telemedicine.
- With new robotics capabilities powered by the ultra-low latency provided by 5G, the experience for manufacturing and the factory floor is transforming. Robotics has made it possible to replace boring, repetitive, and occasionally risky tasks.
Ensuring 5G Experiences
Many of these new “experiences,” including services and applications, will require ultra-low latency, ultra-high bandwidth, and ultra-reliability – all of which are offered by 5G networks. How can organizations ensure these performance characteristics are delivered?
Indeed, network performance has never been more crucial if these new 5G-enabled services are to succeed. Robotics on the manufacturing floor, remote surgery, and autonomous vehicles require exceptionally stable 5G; without it, or with an uneven connection, people and property are at risk.
With spectrum being allotted and investments in 5G standalone advancing prospects to provide enticing new features and capabilities, 5G is fast evolving. One of the business reasons driving this digital transformation is the ability to automate, which has the potential to boost productivity and efficiency while reducing defects and/or errors.
Many businesses consider connectivity to be a commodity. However, since none of the advantages that businesses desire can be attained without connectivity, it should be seen as a foundation. For instance, reliability will fall short without low latency connectivity, making it difficult, if not impossible, to reap the rewards of sophisticated analytics or big data. Defect management, which is crucial to production, is the same. Connectivity is, therefore, the fundamental cornerstone of what we will observe in the context of enterprise digital transformation.
5G has the potential to change the world. However, a lot more needs to happen before this can become a reality. It remains to be seen how enterprise 5G transition will take place, but certain signals are already emerging. As a perfect storm of technology, economic motivations, and market needs develop, 5G is unmistakably the new cornerstone of enterprise connectivity.
