How 5G will revolutionize IoT capabilities

In India, the advent of 5G has not only accelerated digitization at the grassroots level, but also provided consumers with the opportunity to gain economies of scale. A recent study conducted by the GSM Association showed that 5G has the potential to contribute $455 billion to the Indian economy between 2023 and 2040. Its integration is expected to generate new value through "super connectivity" and become a driving force for digital transformation in various industries in India. Key industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, infrastructure, retail, energy and utilities are expected to benefit from the widespread deployment of 5G technology.

5G is a business driver

As customers increasingly expect real-time and personalized interactions, 5G can provide the foundation for meeting customer experience demands in competitive industries. In addition, it has the potential to significantly accelerate technological advancement. The combination of 5G and intelligent automation can introduce innovative solutions that support equipment management, monitoring, and maintenance.

Industries such as manufacturing, construction, transportation, aviation, healthcare, logistics, banking, telecommunications, media and entertainment, and wearable electronics will benefit greatly from the reliable, fast, and secure connections provided by 5G. With its low latency, companies can even flexibly move part of their operations to secondary cities or shared infrastructure to suit their economic needs. The convergence of 5G and the Internet of Things will play a key role in driving the Industrial 4.0 revolution.

Enhanced IoT capabilities

Recognizing the mission-critical nature of IoT, a reliable and stable network is essential, as poorly performing networks can incur significant costs to businesses. This is essential for linking devices, such as surveillance systems that rely on real-time updates, such as locks and security cameras. 5G provides a faster communication channel, reaching up to several gigabits per second. As a result, devices can better coordinate and complete tasks. Due to its large bandwidth, it is possible to connect to many devices while maintaining quality.

The implementation of 5G provides IoT service providers with a competitive advantage in providing a seamless user experience. Today, numerous organizations across industries are considering IoT as a solution in conjunction with 5G, from data-driven traffic control systems to energy management and even smart waste management.

According to Data from Insights, the 5G IoT market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 47.6% to reach $17.68 billion from 2023 to 2030. Some notable use cases include smart cities, autonomous vehicles, medical applications, surveillance, public safety, immersive e-commerce, broadcasting, and OTT entertainment.

How can the integration of 5G and IoT improve business outcomes?

Asia Pacific is expected to be the second fastest growing center for 5G networks, accounting for about 10% of the global user base. This revolutionary advancement in the customer sector will also go beyond the industrial sector, driving the widespread adoption of 5G in IoT devices.

According to an article in The Times of India, an estimated 500 billion IoT devices will be integrated with 5G technology in the near future. This number includes sensors, actuators, scanners, and medical devices, among others, providing a plethora of options for all sectors to integrate and leverage. In the healthcare industry, the advent of 5G and IoT can enable remote monitoring and diagnosis of patients, significantly improving the quality of care and reducing the need for in-person doctor visits. Similarly, in the retail industry, 5G-enabled IoT devices can provide a personalized customer experience and improve inventory management, which can help increase sales and improve customer loyalty.

Furthermore, the integration of 5G and IoT has the potential to empower new business models and unlock revenue streams.

By enabling businesses to collect and analyze large amounts of data simultaneously, this integration can provide a deeper understanding of customer behaviors and preferences, facilitate the development of new products and services, and allow for personalized experiences tailored to individual needs. The possibilities are endless.

Additional layer of security

With the stable and reliable connection level of the dedicated 5G framework, enterprises can establish more efficient workflows. Unlike Wi-Fi, dedicated 5G networks provide enhanced security and provide a basic layer of protection. Dedicated 5G networks strengthen network endpoints and ensure secure data transmission through features such as hardware security modules, key management services, and security components. The combination of reliable connectivity and advanced security enables enterprises to optimize workflows while protecting sensitive information.

Common challenges and solutions

While 5G promises to revolutionize digital transformation, it is also important to address the vulnerabilities it brings. According to a 2021 AT&T survey of 1,000 security practitioners worldwide, only 9% expressed confidence in their 5G security posture.

The interconnectedness of IoT exposes it to security vulnerabilities. Protecting data and devices requires implementing encryption, authentication, and access control mechanisms. Another challenge is the huge investment required to deploy 5G and IoT infrastructure. Cost-effective solutions include leveraging cloud-based IoT platforms and partnering with efficient service providers.

To fully leverage the benefits of 5G and IoT, it is critical to upskill your workforce. Best practices include employee training and education, outsourcing to experts, and working with industry groups to exchange information and drive innovation and development.

The impact of 5G on the Internet of Things is revolutionary, and the convergence of these technologies holds great promise. Looking ahead, the arrival of 6G technology is inevitable, offering faster speeds, lower latency, and more advanced capabilities. 6G will usher in a new era of data technology, building on the foundation laid by 5G.