The Next Evolution of Mobile Communication: The New Fifth Generation (5G) Mobile Network Will Create Both Interconnected Disruption and Opportunity

Day to day, we are communicating more and more with our mobile devices or smartphones, followed by a tablet and other smart devices. The world has changed—from economical movements to seismic disruptions in healthcare, transportation, data analytics and information processing to academic research and mobile technology—particularly mobile communication networks. At every instance of technological disruption is an opportunity for new applications to rise. With the evolution of communication networks, beginning with the first generation (1G) about 1980 onwards to the fifth generation (5G), how we communicate digitally will continue to change drastically and transform.

According to Ericsson’s 2019 mobility report¹, year-on-year mobile traffic growth, globally, has shifted; resulting in upward growth around 2018. This presents opportunity and challenges. Communication is based on a complex mobile network reliant on technological infrastructures with limitations. Even though the world continues to operate in 2G, 3G, and 4G networks, 5G network conversions will increase.

In its initial months and years, 5G networks will not be available ubiquitously. Current technological infrastructures and networks need to undergo a particular, and in some instances massive, conversion process. A new communication system and its regulatory requirements for 5G technology, including devices and smartphones, are based on:

a. Communication and computational systems that are highly reliable;
b. Systems that are based on low-energy consumption;
c. Systems that are capable of handling large data volume in terms of ongoing traffic;
d. A much-improved systemic throughput for multiple devices communicating simultaneously without being affected by large data demands causing delays and disrupting communication (e.g., dropped calls and latency);
e. Systems that are available at all times and highly sustainable.

The current fourth generation (4G) based on LTE technology was groundbreaking, but it has limitations. 5G, also known as NR for New Radio, not only challenges traditional use cases by increasing capability and more (as listed above), but it also does not require the technological components 4G relies on. 5G is set to solve some important ongoing problems as addressed. Wireless communication is never short of consumer demands and systemic stress; equally matched by ongoing enhancements and evolutions to meet its growing challenges. Reference ITU’s usage scenarios for IMT-2020² and specifics about its capabilities.

5G moves the progress needle because it will make data exchange among multiple devices simultaneously more instantaneous and less latent. And since mobile devices are connected everywhere, every day, and every second, it’s also creating a large dynamical complex ecosystem—every industry will be impacted either through disruption or new opportunity. More precisely, industries contributing to our economic pillars could experience great improvements and unanticipated effects, which still need to be examined, studied, and considered. For example, a few of the many industries we service such as-

Healthcare will experience a much more improved and rapid health record processing rate in both the patient and provider front in some geographical areas; inadvertently, records may continue to grow, but accuracy will be challenging. Practices in Dermatology, Radiology, Cardiology, and Oncology may see improved communication and record-keeping from patients following more health-conscious habits and using mobile apps to support positive behavioral changes.

Law Enforcement introduces innovation at various levels to improve delayed case processing and case interviewer audio transcription, but to also improve expense-to-productivity returns. Leveraging technology among existing manual processes contributes to noticeable progress. Interconnected technology with 5G devices makes communication fast and raises cybersecurity concerns to enforce CJIS standards.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning is disruption on warp drive sometimes because it changes how we understand our data and consider traditional statistical methods for answers. An AI model is never static but truly dynamic, relying on ongoing learning and data. 5G accelerates data growth and empowers machine processing indirectly.

Academic Research relies on Quality Data and Sound Experimental Designs. Data collection can take a long time. Qualifying data is an independent exercise on its own. Since research is a multi-step process full of dependencies, accelerating any step or phase of the process positively creates impactful advantages resulting in discoveries and unprecedented research. 5G may accelerate the time needed to collect data and communication.

Athreon provides unique offerings in both understanding technological disruptions and providing the right solutions for a variety of industries, including healthcare providers, insurance claim adjusters, law enforcement case processing officers, and academic researchers, in their speech to text mobile or dictation transcription needs. With accelerated data and 5G mobile communication increasing accuracy and security concerns, Athreon adopts a particular model including automation, speech recognition, quality assurance, and human expertise to provide timely precision in any speech recognition, speech to text, voice analytics, or transcription needs.

Contact Us Today for a demo and consultation to understand your needs and how 5G might affect your industry.

¹Ericsson Communications. June 2019. Ericsson Mobility Report June 2019 retrieved from https://www.ericsson.com/en/mobility-report

²International Telecommunication Union (ITU) IMT-2020 Usage and Capabilities Retrieved from:
https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-R/study-groups/rsg5/rwp5d/imt-2020/Documents/060R1e.pdf