IoT, or the Internet of things, is a network of things that incorporate the internet into daily chores and make them smarter and simpler. Technically, it is a network of devices that are used to extract information and data from other devices over the internet.
Earlier, IoT was only limited to the extraction of data and the establishment of connections between various devices. But with the advent of technology, it has now become smarter and much more capable than it was. By incorporating Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, IoT has added a different dimension to how things were initially.
One such change that has been a constant topic of divergence between people is the impact that the onset of 5G technology is creating on IoT. Some people even claim that it might be one of the biggest game-changers in history.
Let’s discuss a few points discussing the 5G impact on IoT and evaluate if the speculations are worth the theory or not. Is the onset of 5G technology a game-changer for IoT?
5G Impacting IoT
The first thing that anyone needs to understand foremost is what is 5G technology is and what its root connection with IoT. 5G technology is the 5th generation mobile network and wireless technology that provides extreme speeds to devices and data transmissions.
Since IoT deals with the transmission of a lot of data in a very short period of time, there seems to be a direct connection between the two technologies and how the onset of one of them will benefit the other one directly.
Currently, the fastest way used for transmission of signals and data is LTE, and 5G technology claims to be 10 times faster than the usual LTE.
It delivers 10 Gbps per second and hence makes accessing various services almost instantaneously.
How is 5G helping IoT to improve?
IoT finds its extensive use in the industry as it is useful right from the production to detection of the failures in the management and machinery. Using sensors, predictive analysis is done, which predicts the shelf life of the machinery. This might seem to be a small task that could have been done mechanically. But if you look at the larger picture, it’s not!
It is extremely complicated to understand a pattern or certain behavior amongst the data by a normal human being, and these smart devices, incorporated with simple principles of Machine Learning, make it extremely easy and fast. It also saves companies from potential losses due to the abrupt failure of machinery.
Now, imagine all this, but at a much faster rate. It just makes the task of bigger plants much easier and hassle-free.
The major challenge that was potentially faced was the latency between the abstraction of data and processing the abstracted data in the cloud. The main focus of incorporating 5G technology with IoT is on the reduction of this time interval. It will be so fast that it will almost be close to a real-time feel.
And it might seem to be a small problem, but even though the latency is manageable, it is only because there is no other way to make it faster. And it even causes many issues that can range from small to unmanageable in the longer run. But, as the 5G technology grows, it’ll be really easy to eradicate the latency and make the transmissions smoother than before.
Most of the companies being operated on a larger scale might have considered the cellular network for operations within the organization. However, since many devices are connected simultaneously, there is a visible latency, and even a small amount of data transmission becomes extremely difficult and time-consuming.
This just ruins the entire practicality of the IoT devices, and hence, companies rely heavily on wired connections when dealing with IoT devices. This affects the mobility of the entire system and makes it a lot more rigid.
Before making any changes to the system, the entire connection has to be re-evaluated. With it, even the labor cost has to be evaluated. All of this makes this extremely uncomfortable yet inevitable.
But, with the onset of 5G technology, there seems to be a hope that companies/organizations will soon be able to switch to wireless technologies and makes the transmission not just fast but extremely manageable.
Another field where IoT finds its extensive use is in the field of robotics. Installing smart robots is extremely common in organizations. Since it is all powered by AI algorithms, it also needs an internet connection for data collection and data processing. And wired connection is extremely tough to maintain in such cases, especially because the robots are mobile.
Why 5G is The Best Option?
Lastly, talking about the business, the installation of 5G networks is also economically profitable at the same time. It is because, when the experience becomes almost real-time, more consumers will be tempted enough to invest in their products. Moreover, the labor cost and wire and devices involved in a wired connection will be reduced, and potential risks in the machinery will also be known a lot earlier. All this will save the companies/organizations a lot of money that would be wasted otherwise.
Apart from providing speed, 5G also makes IoT highly reliable, way less complex, gives more coverage and throughput, is energy efficient, and much more. All this is possible due to the special architecture of the 5G network.
In 5G, the focus shifts from connection to connection that are not just fast but also equally reliable and provide extensive coverage. It was almost challenging the wireless technology to compete with the wired networks and gain an edge over them.
It also consumes 90% lesser energy than 4G and hence, fits the need of the hour!
Conclusion
In conclusion, the onset of 5G technology will surely be a game-changer for IoT-related industries and organizations. 5G gives IoT speed and freedom from all the hassle involved. This just makes it more powerful than ever and hence opens up even more opportunities and possibilities for IoT-derived industries and organizations. The future is fast, and so is the game, and 5G technology surely knows how to be the one!
