Why should customers and companies care about 5G when they have perfectly acceptable connectivity solutions in hand already asks, asks Chris Boshoff, senior product manager at Vox.
There is excitement about 5G. It is the fastest growing mobile technology in history, exceeding 1,5-billion connections by the end of 2023 and expected to reach 5,5-billion over the next five years.
As Statista highlights, it offers improved download speeds, additional bandwidth, reduced latency and the ability to transfer data in real time – improvements that leave 4G’s capabilities far behind. This is the technology driving the evolution of driverless cars, real-time healthcare, improved supply chains and smart cities.
It is the connectivity of reimagining solutions and ideals that could transform the world and how people live, work and play.
But many low- to middle-income countries aren’t going to see these benefits any time soon. There are challenges with infrastructure, cost (of equipment and end-user devices), adoption and accessibility that are inhibiting 5G from achieving its full potential, which is why many companies are asking why they should care?
Why should customers and companies in South Africa pay attention to 5G when they have perfectly capable 4G and fibre options already available to them right now? The answer comes down to several core factors – ownership, accessibility, locality and value.
One of the key benefits of 5G is ownership and mobility. With 5G, the connectivity stays with the user, enabling a seamless experience whether they’re working remotely, in the office, or on the go. Its high bandwidth and low latency make it ideal for accessing and fully utilising cloud-based tools, ensuring employees can perform tasks efficiently no matter where they are.
Whether working from a café, travelling for meetings, or attending an event, employees can rely on 5G to maintain robust, high-speed connectivity. While coverage may still be limited in rural or underserved areas, 5G offers a significant advantage over traditional fibre by providing unmatched mobility and flexibility for hybrid and remote work environments.
Another consideration that comes with 5G is its improved authentication and security protocols. The layers of security placed on the technology make it a more secure service than 4G and 3G on multiple levels, which is a value-add for companies.
When it comes to companies providing, and users consuming, live video, streaming, broadcasting and eGaming, 5G is a complete transformation of connectivity capabilities.
Organisations leveraging this technology to provide these services will reimagine the quality of the experiences they offer while those who consume them will enjoy next-generation connectivity that will transcend what they’re using with fibre and 4G currently.
5G technology is also increasingly being recognised as an effective failover solution for business fibre connections, providing a reliable backup option in the event of an outage.
With its high speed and low latency, 5G can maintain connectivity during disruptions, ensuring uninterrupted critical business operations. This is particularly beneficial for companies that rely heavily on stable internet connections for activities such as video conferencing, cloud services, and real-time data processing.
By integrating 5G as a failover option, businesses can enhance their resilience, reduce downtime, and improve overall operational efficiency, making it a strategic choice for modern enterprises.
The other benefit is accessibility. With the right technology integrated within the business or the home, users can quickly access 5G and create a Wi-Fi ecosystem that’s under their control and designed to meet their unique needs.
For example, in the manufacturing, gaming and automotive markets, this connectivity allows them to transform business and consumer communications and service delivery. Vox has a competitive solution that is ten times faster than LTE network services and brings in a level of low-latency functionality that will enable real-time transactions which are transformative when it comes to building innovation and enhancing next-generation services and solutions.
The move to 5G does introduce an element of fear. It’s cost, the infrastructure, the need – these are valid concerns when it comes to reimagining connectivity within the business.
However, 5G is more than just speed, it is more robust and it is the next step towards creating interconnected, digital ecosystems capable of placing organisations right at the edge of opportunity. The opportunity to tap into emergent technologies, build real-time capabilities, refine collaboration and so much more.
While it is new and comes with risks, working with a service provider that understands your business requirements, data needs and costs will ensure that 5G does deliver exactly what you need.