Big Data & 5G Technology — Hope or Hype?

5G is the 5th generation mobile network and its implementation has been wildly anticipated as a game changer for all things mobile related. It is a new global wireless standard, 100 times faster than current 4G network capabilities. 5G technology is designed to increase the network speed and responsiveness of wireless networks.

5G wireless technology delivers high-speed multi-Gbps data, ultra-low latency, more reliability, massive network capacity, increased availability, and a more uniform user experience. 5G technology also enables increased amounts of data to be transmitted over wireless systems due to more available bandwidth and advanced antenna technology. The aforementioned benefits in performance and improved efficiency ushers in a new era as it empowers new user experiences and connects new industries to a more dynamic ecosystem.

Image Sourced from Freepik.com

What Makes 5G Better?

Traditional wireless communications use radio frequencies which sometimes include cluttering or unwanted echoes during data transfers. 5G technology uses high radio frequency waves called millimeter waves that eliminate cluttering effects. What this means is more information can be transmitted at faster rates.

Millimeter waves use 30 to 300 gigahertz of frequency, 10 to 100 times faster than radio waves used by 4G and WiFi networks. They’re called millimeter waves because their wavelengths vary between 1 and 10 millimeters, whereas current or 4G radio waves are on the order of centimeters. Also 5G technology uses smaller transmitters placed on top of the buildings, light poles, street furniture, etc. because these waves travel shorter distances and can be easily absorbed by obstacles such as buildings or trees. 5G also uses antennas with multiple inputs and outputs to boost signal capacity across wireless networks, thus multiple antennas and transmitters have the capacity to serve multiple users simultaneously, which also happens to make it more efficient than 4G.

5G Enhances the Possibilities of Big Data

Due to speed and latency constraints, IoT devices now rely on their processors and internal memory. With 5G, it will be possible to execute a major portion of data processing in the Cloud, lowering the cost of IoT devices and increasingly leveraging the value of big data.

With 5G, not only would data collection capacities be enhanced due to the exponential rise of smart devices, but smart devices with enhanced processing capacity would allow for more data collection in various scenarios. Imagine how much additional capacity big data vendors would have if they could download specific informational indexes tens, if not hundreds, of times faster than they could before with 5G.

Connecting faster, more reliably with greater efficiency brightens the future possibilities of enterprises dependent on accessing large amounts of data quickly. Through the utilization of millions of IoT devices, the vast majority of us are currently contributing to an explosion in the amount of data available and we have unwittingly ushered in the next frontier of the Information Age. The global IoT market was conservatively valued at $690 billion in 2021, and is expected to almost double to over $1,300 billion by 2025.

How Fast is 5G and Where is Currently Deployed?

5G network speed will be 100 times faster than the 4G network speed, which allows users to download, upload and stream with low latency and high responsiveness. 5G download speeds can reach from 1,000 megabits per second (Mbps) up to 2.1 Gbps. For example, if a 5G network takes 4 to 5 seconds to download an HD film, 4G will take more than 6 or 7 minutes to download this same content.

5G technology is currently being used in more than 60 countries. South Korea, Japan, China, and the United States build and deploy 5G and are in a technological arms race for future superiority of this advanced technology. In the United States, Verizon and T-Mobile have already deployed 5G networks in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, New York, R.I, Washington D.C, and more locations are being added monthly.

Who Offers 5G Phones Currently?

To utilize 5G technology, a user must have 5G compatible hardware. A 4G phone or any 4G hardware cannot get the required software updates to enable 5G technology. Currently, the following mobile phone companies manufacture and offer 5G technology-enabled mobiles:

• Apple
• Samsung
• OnePlus
• Moto
• Xiaomi
• Huawei

Pros of 5G Technology

1. Enhanced Speed: Compared to 4G, 5G works faster on all 5G compatible devices. Using 5G, users can download videos, movies, and music in a fraction of the time it takes on 4G devices.
2. Low Latency: Compared to 4G, 5G has lower latency. It supports many applications and allows users to use any applications and web pages without hassles.
3. Higher Bandwidth: 5G has a very high bandwidth, allowing the transferring of any amount of data at much higher speeds. A 5G user on a compatible network is assured of having greater bandwidth and faster connection speeds.

Cons of 5G Technology

1. Limited Global Coverage: 5G network is enabled and deployed in select global locations. Most second tier cities and remote areas will face delays in the rollout of 5g networks and devices.
2. Costs:Compared to other networks, it’s more expensive to set up the tower stations associated with 5G technology..
3. Upload Speeds: Compared to 4G, 5G has a high download speed, but the upload speed maxes out at 100Mbps. Thus users who have 5G technology in their device frequently experience devices that “heat” up or become warm to the touch.
4. Decreased Broadcast Distance: 5G network waves do not travel as far as 4G since millimeter waves can easily be blocked by buildings, trees, etc., which leads to various problems.

Final Thoughts

The march towards faster networks, with more reliability and data processing power is only going to accelerate. Technological advancements in the hope of improving our lives will be a constant refrain, and we all hold out hope that is indeed the case for mankind. 5G is not a panacea, but a small step in the direction of what will continue to be a parade of the latest and greatest technological advancements, with ever increasing promises of a better future so be adaptable, buckle up and enjoy the journey…because you will be a passenger in some way, shape or form whether you want to or not!

Authored by: Ashmitha Ragavi S