The Internet of Things, IoT, is a key technology in the context of the fourth industrial revolution launched by digitalization and the Internet in the 21st century. The first revolution was due to the invention of the steam engine, the second revolution was mass production, the third was caused by the invention of computers and automation.
5G enables completely new services, applications, and user experiences. A high-speed mobile network without delay is a prerequisite for self-driving vehicles to become part of everyday traffic. Support for delay-critical communication and remote control applications will be improved so that critical applications such as remote surgery will be securely available. A major driver of the 5G is the Internet of Things that will outperform existing widely adapted 3G and 4G technologies.
With the help of technologies, the IoT of the mobile network supports more and more usage needs, also adapting to the requirements of low power consumption and low-cost terminal prices, as well as to more challenging coverage areas.
Now 5G networks are accelerating the breakthrough, and it’s not a coincidence. Much attention has been paid to the complex needs of the Internet of Things in the design of 5G's features: at the same time, the network must allow a huge number of connections to sensor devices, minimize latency and energy consumption, and guarantee a high level of data security. In addition, there has been a desire to enable business-critical applications.
Much attention has been paid to the complex needs of the Internet of Things in the design of 5G's features: at the same time, the network must allow a huge number of connections to sensor devices, minimize latency and energy consumption, and guarantee a high level of data security.
A very interesting novelty related to 5G for companies is the so-called Multi-Access Edge Computing (MEC). It is becoming the most important solution for generating useful information from raw data of networked devices and sensor networks for use by applications. The idea is to process data masses at the edge of the network close to the point of use instead of sending the data to cloud computing servers.
Extremely fast edge counting ensures that applications run smoothly. In addition, it prevents network congestion due to a large amount of data and users. At the same time, security is improving. When services can be brought closer to users and there is no need to retrieve data further, processing delays are reduced.
Regardless of the industry, 5G technology offers companies diverse new opportunities to develop their business from the perspective of both the company's internal needs and the services provided to customers. The public interest is, for example, an increase in productivity. Better mobile network connections help businesses work faster and more productively and take full advantage of real-time data, saving costs, and increasing revenue.
Here are three examples of how 5G can benefit different industries.
In many business solutions, operational needs require both IoT and 5G technology to avoid bottlenecks such as latency. For example, an IoT device network connected to the automation of a large factory, isolated by 5G slicing, where a large number of IoT sensors of machines and devices send a huge amount of data to the network at a high capacity.
However, the data is not transmitted raw to the operator's backbone network but is processed locally and in real-time by so-called edge computing. The NB-IoT and LTE-M technologies designed for the Internet of Things, which have already become available to companies in 4G networks, are also important in the 5G network.
Power plants and energy networks, as well as water utilities and water supply networks, which are critical to society's security of supply, will benefit greatly from 5G.
For example, power companies and water companies are able to equip their networks with a wild number of sensors that continuously transmit information over the mobile network. Information about possible technical problems is available online immediately. When service technicians also have 5G connections in the field, they can even see as a 3D model where the fault lies.
A more experienced expert or equipment supplier's representative can guide you remotely with a video connection and augmented reality on how to perform the repair.
The digital healthcare market is forecast to grow significantly due to the lack of delay, speed, and reliability of 5G. The mobile ambulance can transmit diagnostic data on the patient's vital signs and a high-quality video image so that the hospital doctor can make a diagnosis even before the patient arrives.
Situational awareness is improving. Hospital equipment and facilities can be filled with thousands of sensors that monitor patients and conditions. Internal staff communication can be routed to a fully enclosed local 5G network, which strengthens the protection of patient data privacy.
Real-time remote diagnostics and even remote surgeries become possible - even haptic feedback can be transmitted to the surgeon on the mobile network, i.e. you can feel what is being done far away in your hands.
You have now a basic understanding of how 5G enables IoT.
Please do the short exam below, and continue to the next lesson.
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