• March 12, 2020

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Opportunities and Challenges Surrounding the Wireless Future

The future of wireless communication is upon us – 5G, nearly a decade in the making, is rolling out across the country.

Though the prospect of more comprehensive coverage and faster communication is exciting, the implementation of 5G technology also presents some very real challenges.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at how the 5G rollout has gone up until this point, where it could be headed, and the ripple effects the industry is sure to feel for decades.

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What is 5G?

To put it simply, 5G is the newest generation of mobile broadband technology.

Whereas 4G LTE technology, now commonplace around the nation, leans on low-band spectrum that’s nearly been depleted in terms of bandwidth and caps data speeds, 5G technology leverages three different spectrum bands.

5G operates on low-band, mid-band, and high-band spectrums, providing wider potential.

This new frontier should bring along with it reduced latency and faster data speeds.

However, this innovation will certainly come along with its fair share of speedbumps.

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Challenges Facing the 5G Rollout

At its most basic level, 5G began making an appearance around the country in 2018, though its use was severely limited. In 2019, all four major wireless carriers, AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint, started implementing 5G in some fashion.

2020 promises to be a big year for 5G, but challenges still exist.

• Though 5G’s utilization of multiple spectrums is part of its promise, it also means that networks have a lot of work to do in acquiring and utilizing those bands. 5G bands run up to 300GHz (compared to 4G’s range of up to 6GHz), and bidding on and locking down these newly opened avenues is an expensive and time-consuming proposition.
• The infrastructure of the 5G rollout still needs work. 5G mmWave signals have relatively short ranges, meaning implementation throughout large and rural areas will still be a physical and practical challenge.
• Devices will need to continue to be developed in ways that support this new age of wireless technology.
• With increased interconnectivity comes increased security risks. Carriers, users, and other members of the 5G infrastructure will likely have to navigate an entirely new frontier of privacy concerns.
• The monetary cost of all these roadblocks could prove enormous, and that money must come from somewhere. Providers will have to navigate the base costs of rolling out 5G, and that’s ignoring the costs that will be associated with all the new innovations that it brings to light.

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Still, the Future is Bright

Although the challenges facing the nationwide 5G rollout are intimidating, the possibilities and opportunities this new wireless communication brings along with it are equally exciting.

Outside of the immediate and tangible benefits of 5G for wireless consumers regarding data speed and latency, the technology will bring innovation to many corners of the world’s economy and industries.

Some of the most exciting potential applications include:

• Autonomous vehicle improvement and adoption due to increased connectivity capabilities.
• Enhanced virtual and augmented reality experiences across numerous sectors.
• New tactile feedback translated wirelessly, which could have critical applications like remote surgery and long-distance oversight for robotic and automated work.
• Greater leveraging of the Internet of Things, providing the kind of seamless and interconnected experience the modern consumer longs for.