Exponential disruption on the cards
— Rajen Vagadia
Acasual glance around any public place today shows scores of people all immersed in the virtual world on their smartphones. Mobility, mobile internet, easy availability of affordable smartphones, unlimited data, dropping tariffs and vast advancements in processing capabilities of devices have helped change the face of the telecom industry over the last three decades. generating almost USD 3.6 trillion in economic output by 2035, helping to support 22.3 million jobs. Technologies like machine learning, artificial intelligence, internet of things, virtual reality and augmented reality have existed for a while. However, these will become much more meaningful with 5G as they demand faster internet connectivity and low latency networks.
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And just imagine that you are talking in English and your mother hearing you on the other side in Gujarati… real-time without a lag or error, all because of the power of local compute on the processors, evolved AI capabilities of AI and low latency.
Enhanced security:
Even as 5G connects the world in a better and faster way, it will necessitate more intrinsic security practices. Interestingly, it is 5G-powered growth in AI that will help deliver the required end to end security. According to Gartner by 2022, 80% of all smartphones shipped will be AI-enabled. Since in 2017 this number was just at 10%, this indicates a significant leap, showing advancement in technology and market demand.
As Artificial Intelligence becomes an integral part of our digital lives, there will emerge a need for greater security on multiple platforms. AI-powered cameras have already integrated security algorithms that enable face recognition, scanning, detection and tracking of packages. Further, security measures can be stepped up through the combination of AI and sensor inputs. Before long, we will even be able to do away with typing keywords as our unique style of swiping and typing will make the authentication process more robust.
Imagine you walk into a bank and you breeze through your face being your identity to not just enter the locker room but also operate the locker, safely and more securely.
Smarter automobiles:
We are already witnessing the beginning of the automotive industry’s transition from fossil fuels, to hybrid to battery-operated vehicles. With improved processor capabilities, richer connectivity options, improvements in battery technology, we expect to see a even stronger transformation in this industry. From maps, navigation and basic connectivity for telematics today, we will see this industry evolve to ADAS, autonomous driving with the help of C-V2X, roadside infrastructure, smart signals, et al.- all connected by 5G. We expect vehicles to connect to smarter traffic systems, including traffic lights and sensors on the road that can address the issue of traffic congestion while reducing accidents.
Imagine, you would be driving to work in a driverless car, safer than before, faster than before and more relaxing than before, paying for this ride, just by looking at the ‘payment mirror’ with your signature smile-a gesture that is your approval for debit of payment from your virtual wallet.
The telecom sector has witnessed a sea change over the last 25 years. It started off as a communication medium and evolved into a powerful driver of socioeconomic development. Now, it is ready to take off on yet another transformative journey with the advent of 5G networks. 5G has the potential to change the way a business operates, how we work, play and even live. It will be the foundation for newer paradigm changing technologies whose impact will be felt across sectors and across the world.
A 5G powered telecom sector is going to be an exciting space to work in the foreseeable future