The impact of the 5G mobile network on the next generation of technologies

Brazil will enter a much more advanced phase of development of its telecommunications networks in 2021, with the arrival of the so-called 5G, the new generation of mobile communications.
With this advance, we will see the biggest technological leap in telecommunications in history, starting with the market called B2B (Business to Business) or between companies.
5G will provide us with much faster wireless communications, with low latency and guaranteed permanent service availability —or, in English, Service Agreement SLA.
The world is rapidly evolving from the fourth generation of mobile or 4G communications to 5G. With this, two major technological advances will be incorporated into our daily lives: the ever-increasing applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data.
Anatel is preparing the bidding of frequencies for 5G that should take place in 2021. Experts expect that the prices of smartphones destined for this Fifth Generation should be more affordable next year.
Why 5G?
The Fifth Generation of Mobile Communications enables dramatic increases in the speed, coverage and capacity of wireless networks to support the next generation of technologies.
Mobile devices, Internet of Things (IoT), cutting-edge computing, virtual and augmented reality and content with 4K resolution are just some of the demands that are becoming common across the planet – demands that 5G can offer. In addition, the 5G will act as a huge lever to accelerate numerous Applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
In reality, advances in Artificial Intelligence have been used in the most different applications, such as Virtual Agents (Boots) and in our Smartphones, which are powered by increasing volumes of data (which the world calls Big Data).
I also recall that 5G is the natural evolution of previous generations — 3G and 4G. Its great differential is not only the higher speed of mobile internet connection, but dozens of other applications that could revolutionize society, such as connected objects and smart cities.
But we still have to wait for the specific auction of 5G frequencies to clarify a number of doubts still surround this technology in Brazil.
Until recently, the average 3G speed in Brazil was 8.82 Mbps (megabits per second). With the introduction of faster 4G networks, this speed reaches about 45 Mbps (megabits per second). Manufacturers and carriers expect to reach speeds 20 or 30 times higher, e.g. 1 Gbps (gigabit per second = 1,024 Mbps).
The main advantages that will be provided by the so-called Fifth Generation of Mobile Communications, or 5G are:
- Increased communication skills,
- Increased mobility,
- Greater accuracy in the location of the terminal,
- Increased reliability and availability,
- Lower latency, or faster connection.
With the new technology, citizens will be able to manage their personal data, improve internet performance and protect their privacy. 5G infrastructures will also be much more efficient.
The 5G will also allow the connection of many more devices simultaneously, in addition to extending the battery life of smartphones.
Another extraordinary advantage of 5G will be the efficiency in the use of frequency spectrum, as the new generation network will consume a fraction of the energy that a 4G mobile network consumes today to deliver the same amount of data transmitted.
Finally, 5G will allow for a drastic reduction in energy consumption, and lower costs, thanks to the automation of human tasks and the optimization of hardware.
- Ethevaldo Siqueira