Connectivity is all about faster, better and better data transfer rates between terminals. The race for wireless connectivity, which began in 1979 with the first 1G technology in Tokyo deployed by Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT), brought the world to 5G and 6G four decades later.
McKinsey Technology Trends Outlook 2022 revealed that cutting-edge connectivity, including 5G, 6G, low-Earth orbit satellites and others, is driving growth and productivity across industries with a $166 billion investment in 2021. Like other new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) or mobility, the technology has a high adoption rate.
In a report shared by Market and future research with TechRepublic, the organization explained that the COVID-19 pandemic is an important catalyst for the global rollout of 5G.
With the power to transform industries faster, with more capacity and less latency, 5G technology will impact transportation, banking, traffic control, healthcare from telemedicine, agriculture, digital logistics and more, says Market Research Future.
New technologies such as AI, machine learning, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), new smart cars, and virtual and augmented reality applications in the metaverse also require faster download times and enhanced communication data in real time. 5G and 6G are expected to drive these new trends.
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Market and future research explains that 5G deployment is not without challenges. Spectrum standardization and the complexity of installing 5G networks are the highlights. MIT Technology Review adds that 6G will also face cross-industry innovation challenges and requirements, new chips, new equipment and software.
Technological challenges of 5G and 6G
The next generation of cellular technology that offers higher spectrum efficiency and high bandwidth has been controversial. As McKinsey explains, many people still wonder if 5G can completely replace 4G LTE networks and what percentage of the network will have 5G.
The Global Mobile Providers Association In May 2022, 493 operators in 150 countries were identified to invest in 5G technology and an additional 200 companies whose technology could potentially be used for 5G. New announcements of smartphones with 5G increased by 164% at the end of 2020, and 5G devices in the category increased by 60%.
While new consumer products have quickly adapted to 5G capabilities, industrial and enterprise devices have not.
“The transition from 4G LTE to 5G exclusively may not be cost-effective for all players; This will depend on the technology aspirations of the players and the planned use cases,” said McKinsey.
Market Research Future explains that $61.4 billion is driving this very competitive market, which is expected to reach $689.6 billion by 2027. However, equipment vendors, equipment and infrastructure software has been holding back growth.
MIT explains that 6G shares similar challenges with 5G but also presents new challenges. 6G engineers must work on the infrastructure, equipment, and software to build next-generation communications systems. 6G connectivity cannot be accomplished simply by scaling or updating today’s technology.
MIT adds that 6G uses more complex active antenna systems, further integrated using other Radio Access Technologies such as WLAN (wireless local area network), Bluetooth, UWB (band ultrawideband) and satellite. Putting all this technology into a smartphone requires re-imagining components like chips and radio transceiver technology.
“This will require highly innovative computer and electrical engineering as well as disruptive industrial engineering and power management,” explains MIT.
New 6G chips are essential to handle the increased computing power. Low latency – the ability to process very large volumes of data messages with minimal latency – has been a challenge for 5G and will be even more of a challenge with 6G technology.
Low latency is essential for interactive data, real-time data, and applications as well as virtual environments or digital twins. These are all requirements for AI, metaverse, and the industry sector. 6G latency will be reduced by using nearby devices, generating a signal on a 3-way network.
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To solve these problems, new semiconductor materials, smart surfaces, AI and digital dual technology development are being used to test concepts, develop prototypes as well as manage and network enhancement.
McKinsey emphasized that 5G has proven that only a few telecom companies can monetize 5G enough to get a good return on investment (ROI). Therefore, capital costs and maintenance costs will also be closely monitored. In addition, large capital investments are required to build new technology and networks, which represent another business challenge.
Driving Connectivity: Industrial Disruption
At the Dresden plant in Germany, Volkswagen replaced wired connections between machines and now updates finished cars with over-the-air updates and connects driverless vehicles to cloud servers. edge. Michelin uses new connected technologies for real-time inventory management, and Bosch has equipped their first factory with 5G, enabling automation, connecting hundreds of endpoints and synchronizing robots. with the people of the factory. These are just some of the examples McKinsey gives of how cutting-edge connectivity is disrupting industries.
Connectivity is expected to increase annual data generation rates by up to 25%, connect 51.9 billion devices by 2025, and impact global GDP (gross domestic product) by more than $2 trillion. la. Additionally, 5G and 6G are expected to contribute to bridging the digital divide allowing hundreds of millions of people to be connected for the first time.
In automotive and assembly, 5G and 6G are used to enhance maintenance and navigation, prevent collisions and drive the first fleet of autonomous vehicles. Low-latency network-connected healthcare devices and sensors will improve patient monitoring and treatment with real-time data, significantly impacting treatment for patients with Chronic illness requires constant testing.
Aerospace and defense are using 5G to enhance their capabilities and performance, while retail has improved inventory management, supply chain coordination and payment processes, and created super diverse experiences thanks to this technology. The building and construction industry is printing 3D structures and using high-speed digital twins and applications, and the mining and natural resources sectors are moving to intelligent exploration and mining with digitization of operations and automation of operations.
Leaders from almost every industry are considering interacting with new connected technologies. McKinsey says they should consider cutting-edge connectivity a key driver of revolutionary capabilities. From digital transformation to driving efficiency through automation and enabling high-quality connectivity-based technologies, such as cloud computing and IoT, connectivity will continue to drive the way the world activity and life.
