We’ve seen a staggering amount of development in the world of wireless connectivity over the last couple of decades — and there’s more change on the horizon…
The first commercial 3G networks — which harnessed the third generation of wireless communications technology — appeared in the UK in the early 2000s. Then, EE launched the UK’s first 4G network in 2012, facilitating high-speed multimedia communications with better quality and more bandwidth.
Now, mainstream 5G is coming — offering the fastest, most powerful wireless connections to date.
You might be thinking, hasn’t 5G been around for a while? It’s true — telecommunications providers have been working on 5G for over a decade, and 5G was properly launched in the UK in 2019. But the pandemic put the brakes on 5G development, meaning it only started gaining traction in 2022.
Since then, however, 5G has become one of the UK government’s primary focuses as the demand for more connectivity and advanced telecommunications increases.
So, what’s in store for the future of 5G implementation — and what benefits could this technology have for various industries?
Full steam ahead for 5G in the UK
Although we’re still in the early days of 5G networking, experts predict the global 5G infrastructure market will grow at an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21% from 2023 to 2030 as more people and businesses rely on superfast internet access and connectivity solutions.
As a result, the UK government has committed to developing our national 5G capacity to boost the digital economy and ensure our international competitiveness.
In April 2023, the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology released a new wireless infrastructure strategy, outlining its plans for supporting a world-class 5G framework. This plan includes delivering standalone 5G connectivity to all populated areas by 2030 — expanding networks to cover remote areas and support a thriving digital economy.
There’ll be some challenges along the journey to mainstream 5G, such as funding installation and maintenance amidst high inflation, overcoming patchy coverage quality and security concerns and navigating uncertain demand for 5G-enabled devices.
Still, administrators are determined to address these obstacles head-on to ensure first-class connectivity for all.
The government has announced it’ll back private investment into 5G and provide £40 million to create ‘5G Innovation Regions’ across the UK. It’s also committed to strengthening the foundations of 5G networks by upholding strict cyber security standards and working closely with mobile network providers to maximise coverage and resources.
Thanks to these new measures, 5G networks will soon be able to support more bandwidth-hungry technology, boasting ultra-low latency (the ability of a network to process high volumes of data with minimal delay) and data transfer speeds more than 10 times faster than 4G.
All sounds great, right? But what exactly does this mean — and what practical benefits could 5G bring for businesses across different sectors?
Exciting possibilities for wireless connectivity
The fifth generation of wireless connectivity technology promises to make it easier to connect global workforces, access real-time data insights and operate business-critical equipment remotely — with promising implications for a range of industries…
Manufacturing
The manufacturing and industrial sectors stand to gain a great deal from 5G, facilitating more automation to increase efficiency and productivity.
Thanks to the ultra-low latency and high capacity of 5G networks, manufacturers will be able to connect advanced equipment like industrial robots, enabling remote monitoring and operation with unparalleled accuracy and real-time performance insights.
Logistics
When 5G goes mainstream, it’ll become easier than ever to manage supply chains — allowing businesses to connect more internet of things (IoT) sensors and devices to track shipments and cargo for better visibility, inventory management and route optimisation.
Transport
Faster, more robust internet connections will support the development of electric and self-driving vehicles, and public transport could also get an upgrade. For example, 5G connectivity will improve the efficiency and punctuality of trains — and provide stable internet connections for passengers’ safety and entertainment.
Media
Adopting 5G telecoms networks will lead to more high-quality content, such as 3D graphics and immersive augmented reality (AR) experiences. Plus, 5G connections will support the expansion of the metaverse, with encouraging possibilities for virtual tourism, education and more.
Security
Paired with the advanced capabilities of IoT sensors, 5G will improve security in several applications — from refining facial recognition with advanced CCTV surveillance in public spaces to allowing businesses to implement bandwidth-hungry security solutions like biometric authentication within their networks.
Healthcare
According to the government’s wireless infrastructure strategy, all new hospitals will be 5G or equivalent wireless enabled, allowing more providers to take advantage of cutting-edge healthcare technology.
With these developments, we could soon see more appointments, consultations, surgeries and health monitoring conducted remotely — improving patient outcomes and alleviating pressure on stretched NHS services.
Telecommunications
Telco companies that invest in 5G will be able to offer customers the most competitive communications solutions with better coverage, high-speed connectivity and cost-effective scalability.
For businesses, that means easier collaboration, more reliability and increased productivity — all crucial to staying competitive in the increasingly digital world.
These days, critical business activities can’t happen without a reliable wireless internet connection and dependable telecoms system. At TMT, we offer managed telephony and connectivity services you can count on — call us at 0800 988 2002 to learn more!
