It is becoming increasingly clear that the conservation and protection of our natural resources is the key to a prosperous future for us all — not just the current generation, but future generations as well. Distributing and managing these natural resources with a measured approach is also one way to overcome income disparity and improve quality of life across the board. The question that naturally arises, however, is how can we do this? There are legislative hurdles, of course, but what of practical hurdles? To solve these, there may be an unlikely savior: 5G technology.
What Is 5G Technology?
The term 5G refers to a fifth-generation wireless and data network. Currently, we rely on a 4G network, which for the most part, is sufficient for basic data streaming and wireless communications. But for the Internet of Things to reach its full potential, a more capable, more universal and more accessible network is required. In other words, we need 5G technology before we can reach the next level of a fully connected world.
For 5G technology to become a reality, updates in infrastructure, mobile technology, sensor technology, processor technology and other areas must first be made. Though companies like Qualcomm are spearheading this effort, currently, 5G technology is still several years down the road. However, the wait will be worth it; according to the GSMA, 5G technology promises to deliver:
- Up to 10 Gbps connections to end points in the field
- 1 millisecond end-to-end round-trip delay
- 1,000x bandwidth per unit area
- Up to 100x number of connected devices
- Up to 99.999 percent availability
- Up to 100 percent coverage
- 90 percent reduction in network energy usage
- Up to 10-year battery life for low-power, machine-type devices
This improved capability will transform the way that humans and machines interact with each other. And it is this capability that has the potential to radically improve the way in which we consume, manage and distribute our resources.
How Can It Power a Greener Future?
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