Why is 5G a boon for enterprises exploring the development of the Internet of Things?

There is an interesting analogy to understand IoT: these devices are all neurons connected to a giant brain called the Internet. Every small device in this network holds a set of important data. Now, the performance of this neural network will directly depend on the efficiency of data transmission.

This is exactly what 5G provides, a fast and sustainable network. Yash Mehta, an expert in IoT and big data science, said that the arrival of 5G has significantly improved the bandwidth of the previous generation, and one-third of the world's population will consume 5G bandwidth, thus becoming contributing nodes to some IoT networks to a certain extent.

Why is 5G so important to the Internet of Things?

Faster signal

Truth be told, 5G and IoT are complementary. While all elements in an IoT network require a strong signal, 5G provides the necessary infrastructure through a technology called beamforming. It captures signals from multiple antennas and directs them toward a specific device.

Beamforming is effective because it can span physical obstacles, such as walls, thereby ensuring uninterrupted transmission of the signal. Previously, the network signal would inevitably lose strength.

This centralized delivery of high-quality signaling to drive the IoT ecosystem makes beamforming one of the most impactful 5G capabilities.

Secondly, data reception and transmission capabilities are another improvement over 4G. Previously, it was quite successful in some use cases. With 5G, enhanced MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) capabilities are available to everyone. MIMO, with its powerful bandwidth, can support antennas regardless of geographical conditions. This allows poor areas to access 5G and supporting applications such as the Internet of Things.

More stable connection

For IoT, network stability is more important than speed. Any form of uncertain downtime will not only disrupt the operation of the ecosystem but also put confidentiality at risk. Even in the simplest home IoT use cases such as automatic locks, CCTV, appliances, etc., network uptime is key. 5G networks simply ensure the same. They can handle more devices, provide 10 times the speed, and establish a reliable ecosystem for device communication.

Therefore, the next generation of IoT devices will benefit from low latency and high-speed connections, which may drive more complex operations. Take a manufacturing unit as an example. It has a series of devices connected to remote monitoring, predictive analysis equipment, and automated assembly lines. Manufacturers can accelerate their go-to-market plans by embracing the 5G-enabled Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) field, thereby completely changing their production goals.

Remote inspection

Among the numerous IoT applications, remote inspection of equipment and processes is the most popular. For example, in industries such as power and energy, equipment is distributed in different places. Transformers, power grids, utility poles, etc. should be continuously monitored to avoid any kind of interruption. With IoT smart infrastructure, technicians can check maintenance remotely, thus reducing field visits to sites miles away. Similarly, railways can use IoT sensors to detect track faults and issue timely alarms. Alternatively, they can predict train delays and broadcast them to all relevant stations on the route.

In IBM's civil infrastructure case, the use of drone systems will assess the sustainability of aging bridges, tunnels, road networks, etc. Data obtained from multiple devices is used to analyze and identify critical failure areas.

Likewise, drones can provide aerial surveillance of other city assets, such as gas pipelines, utility wires, traffic lights, etc. If performed properly, such inspections can identify problem areas and avoid large-scale disruptions.

in conclusion

The Internet of Things is everywhere and is evolving just like the World Wide Web. With 5G, businesses must leverage the infrastructure, automate processes wherever possible, and focus on innovation. Organizations, big or small, should explore the possibilities in this space without a second thought.