The fifth generation cellular network is much more than just faster Internet connection, writes Nur Zarina Othman
5G, which is the fifth generation cellular network technology that provides broadband access, took centre stage at the recent Mobile World Congress 2019 (MWC19) that was held in Shanghai from June 26-28.
With the theme “Intelligent Connectivity”, the new standard in telecommunications technology and everything else connected to it — from products, services and demonstrations —dominated the mammoth exhibition halls of the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC).
“5G is not just about faster connectivity; it is more than what people are actually aware of,” said Andrew Parker, GSM Association’s programme marketing director. GSM Association is a trade body that represents the interests of more than 750 mobile network operators and 400 companies worldwide.
On the exhibition floor, visitors were able to see all the latest technology and products related to 5G, from off-site construction machine operators and weather updates, to security and operating theatres, almost everything was on display ready for use by consumers, governments and industry players.
“This is a truly exciting time for the telecommunications industry as well as attendees of this event, as they can sample so many 5G experiences,” said John Hoffman, chief executive officer of GSMA Ltd.
Covering seven halls, MWC19 Shanghai hosted around 500 exhibitors, with almost half coming from outside of China.
The event attracted more than 350 chief executive officers and more than 1,100 media representatives and industry analysts.
In a space spanning almost 100,000 square metres, almost three times bigger than the first MWC Shanghai in 2012, this year’s event saw companies like AsiaInfo, China Information & Communication Technology Group (CICT), China Mobile, China Telecom, China Unicom, Ericsson, F1 Esports, Huawei, Intracom Telecom, Korea Information and Communication Technology Association (KICTA), Lenovo, New H3C Technologies, Nokia Shanghai Bell, Oppo, Qualcomm, Samsung LSI, Vivo, Whale Cloud, YOFC and ZTE showcasing their latest range of products and innovations.
The three-day event attracted more than 75,000 visitors from over 100 countries.
FUTURE OF MOBILE
At present, 4G is still the dominant mobile technology in Asia with 52 per cent connectivity and it is expected to grow to more than two-thirds of regional connections by 2025. While 4G connectivity will still continue to grow, 5G is fast catching up, with around 18 per cent of connections expected to run on 5G networks by that point.
“What everyone needs to know is that it will take some time for 5G networks to be rolled out,” said Parker. “It is not something that can be said today, and done tomorrow. It is much more complicated than that. There are many factors that affect implementation,” said Parker, adding that there are still countries that are in the early stages of 4G network implementation.
The world’s first nationwide 5G network went live in South Korea earlier this year, and it is predicted that by 2025, a total of 24 Asia Pacific markets would have launched their very own 5G networks.
According to the latest Asia Pacific edition of GSMA’s Mobile Economy series, published at MWC19 Shanghai, Asia’s mobile operators are set to invest US$370 billion (RM1.53 trillion) building new 5G networks between 2018 and 2025. It is also forecasted that 5G will contribute almost US$900 billion to the region’s economy over the next 15 years.
Mats Granryd, GSMA’s director general, said: “Although 4G still has plenty of headroom for growth across Asia, operators in the region are now investing billions in building advanced 5G networks that will facilitate an array of new services for consumers, which in turn will transform industry and manufacturing, hence driving economic growth.” said Mats Granryd, GSMA’
“As 5G becomes a reality, we call on governments and regulators in the region to actively shape a favourable business environment that encourages investment in advanced networks and allows operators to provide next-generation digital services for all of Asia’s citizens,” he stressed.
TRANSFORMING LIVES
Today, two thirds of the world’s population subscribe to mobile services, serving banking, utilities, manufacturing, automotive, entertainment and retail industries.
As the fifth generation of cellular network becomes a reality, many anticipate better streaming and downloading experiences. However, 5G is more than just better connectivity.
“5G will of course bring faster, richer and more immersive entertainment that will be critical to driving revenue growth across the industry. On top of that, it will also bring breakthroughs in tackling dementia, loneliness and other mental health-related issues,” Granryd explained, citing an example of how 5G may enable us to use holograms to communicate with elderly, distant and housebound relatives in the future.
The upgraded network technology will also influence people’s skills and education as well.
“5G technology can influence and transform other industries too. With much faster speed and lower latency, the technology will enable real time, distant collaborations.
“Imagine vocational training, like learning to become a mechanic, a plumber or a medic. Now imagine doing it remotely through live interaction with the trainer who is thousands of miles away. 5G can make all the above possible,” added Granryd.
According to Granryd, 5G will not only alter communication and education, but also boost the next generation.
“It may also heighten interest in three other key areas — Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT) and Big Data, while also bringing far greater benefits to remote communities.
“As consumers we will go beyond using smart speakers to simply play our favourite music to a world where our digital personal assistants know each of us individually, from our taste in movies to our daily healthcare needs.
“And at industry level, AI will deliver everything from network planning, operations and logistics, to customer care and security.
“Driverless cars will be connected to smart maps and navigation, and will be joined by smart homes and smart offices that will connect together to bring us smart cities,” Granryd shared.
When all the areas are combined, collaborations will promote better efficiency and higher productivity.
SMART CITY
Smart cities were a very topical subject at MWC19 Shanghai and GSMA Innovation City quickly became an attraction for attendees. With the welcome opportunity to experience a mix of 5G, IoT, AI and big data firsthand, the area showcased how these key areas of technology are impacting people’s lives and businesses all around the world.
On the exhibition floor of GSMA Innovation City, attendees got to see how 5G, IoT, AI and big data are driving smart cities. In the transportation space, for instance, 5G is changing the way traffic is managed, while in the agricultural sector, drones are now used to better monitor soil conditions.
Attendees also experienced how these new technologies impact the entertainment and communication sectors.
“The reason why we are seeing big changes where 5G network is concerned is because of its character — a narrow bandwidth in a broader band-sense — whereby we end up using the network more efficiently. This is how the era of 5G technology will impact our lives in the future,” Parker pointed out.
“In the past, cellular networks didn’t have the capacity for all this, but the narrowband range of technologies now allow for this on a much bigger scale. With 5G you can put 200,000 to 250,000 devices on a cell site and not impact the coverage you get on cellular phones,” Parker explained.
Citing a personal experience on how the network will alter our lives, he revealed how Taiwan, a country with high levels of pollution, has implemented predictive IoT, placing pollution detecting devices around different areas where data is then collected and combined with weather forecasts.
The accumulated data is then used to initiate the next course of action to address the pollution problem in the affected areas.
“Although it is simple IoT implementation, soon it will be combined with AI and Big Data technologies that will yield better results.
“This is why communities and governments should consider the 5G network as it offers more space for welcome improvements where life in the future is concerned,” said Parker.
Leading the world in the deployment of transformative IoT solutions are Chinese mobile operators.
By connecting an estimated 960 million devices via cellular networks, China is realising the value of IoT and transforming society through mass market deployments of smart homes, industries and city solutions.
According to GSMA Intelligence, China is the world’s largest IoT market with a 64 per cent market share of the 1.5 billion global cellular connections to date.
SAFE AND SECURE
Trust seems to be the one big hurdle in mobile technology. This includes trust between suppliers and nations. With no “one-way-out” solution, GSMA put forward three possible strategies to address this issue which could curtail the future implementation of the 5G network.
The strategies are collaboration, cooperation and culture, which point towards a cooperative environment. Granryd suggested, “It’s critical that we work together and share the best practices on security goals.
Having shared objectives and being as transparent as possible, particularly in terms of security, we embed security aspects into the culture of every stakeholder within our supply chain and in every aspect of product design — from definition to decommission.
Licensing seems to be another issue pertaining to the adoption of 5G networks as security is a pivotal factor in network technology.
Granryd emphasised that in order for security and intelligent connectivity to be up and running, a regulatory framework that fits the new digital age is critical. The framework must encompass the right conditions as intelligent connectivity will bring significant economic and social benefits. He cited China as the best example when it comes to government allocation.
Secondly, the approval of consolidation will drive investment while maintaining healthy competition. Thirdly, the same rules should apply for equivalent digital services, to promote an even playing field for operators and Internet players. And there must be an emphasis on international privacy and data protection rules.
“This framework is something we at GSMA will be working hard to secure,” said Granryd.