In simple terms, 5G represents the next generation of cellular networks compared to the current 4G standard. While 4G offers upload speeds from 7 Mbps to 17 Mbps and download speeds from 12 Mbps to 36 Mbps, 5G can achieve speeds up to 20 Gbps. Latency will also be only about 10% of that of 4G, and the number of devices that can be connected will increase significantly, ensuring its integration with the Internet of Things (IoT).
The Internet of Things (IoT) is an increasingly complex ecosystem; a world of interconnected things that provides critical physical data and is further processed in the cloud to deliver business insights—offering tremendous opportunities for many players across all businesses and industries. Many companies are assembling to focus on the connectivity of the IoT and its future products and services.
The Internet of Things (IoT) can be better understood through its four components: sensors, networks, cloud/artificial intelligence, and applications, as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1: Components of the Internet of Things
When you combine these two technologies, 5G will directly or indirectly impact all components of the Internet of Things (IoT). Sensors will have more bandwidth to report actions, networks will transmit more information faster, and real-time data will become a reality for cloud computing and artificial intelligence, along with related applications. Given the wide bandwidth offered by 5G, it will have more capabilities and encompass a wide range of options.
Benefits of using 5G in the Internet of Things
1. Higher transmission speed
With transmission speeds reaching 15 to 20 Gbps, we can access data, files, and programs on remote applications much faster. By increasing the use of the cloud and reducing the reliance of all devices on their internal storage, there's no need to install large processors on devices, as computation can be done in the cloud. This will extend sensor lifespan and open the door to more types of sensors that handle different types of data, including high-definition images and real-time motion.
2. Connect more devices
The impact of 5G on the Internet of Things (IoT) is clearly an increase in the number of devices that can connect to the network. All connected devices can communicate with each other and exchange information in real time. For example, smart homes will have hundreds of devices connected in various ways, making our lives more convenient and enjoyable through smart appliances, energy, security, and entertainment devices. In the case of industrial plants, we are talking about thousands of connected devices used to streamline manufacturing processes and provide security. Furthermore, the concept of building smart cities will become possible and manageable on a large scale.
3. Lower latency
In simple terms, latency refers to the time elapsed between giving a command to a smart device and the action taking place. Thanks to 5G, this will be ten times less than 4G. For example, lower latency allows for increased use of sensors in factories, including controlling machines, logistics, or remote transportation. Another example is that lower latency enables healthcare professionals to intervene in surgeries from remote locations using sophisticated instruments that can be remotely managed.
Challenges of 5G and IoT Integration
1. Operating across multiple frequency bands
5G will not replace all existing cellular technologies anytime soon; it will become an alternative to what we have now. Moreover, the new hardware needed to fully utilize the power of 5G, the second component of the Internet of Things, the “network,” will now have more options and can handle a wide range of frequencies as needed, rather than being limited to a few.
2. The gradual upgrade from 4G to 5G
The plan is to gradually replace 4G with all currently available infrastructure, which must be done at multiple levels and in multiple phases: software, hardware, and access points. This requires significant investment from both users and businesses. The timelines for replacing 4G vary across different regions of the country, which will pose challenges to the services offered based on 5G. Furthermore, the ability and willingness of users to upgrade their devices to "5G-compatible" devices remains a significant unknown, requiring substantial incentives and education to persuade individuals and businesses to take action.
3. Data interoperability
As the industry evolves, a growing need in the IoT field is for standardized models to perform common IoT backend tasks such as processing, storage, and firmware updates. In this newly sought-after model, we might see different IoT solutions working together with a common backend service, guaranteeing levels of interoperability, portability, and manageability virtually impossible with current-generation IoT solutions. Creating such a model is by no means easy; the standardization and implementation of IoT solutions face numerous obstacles and challenges, and this model needs to overcome all of them, with interoperability being one of the major challenges.
4. Establish 5G business models
This is a major driving force for starting, investing in, and operating any business, and without a sound, robust 5G-IoT converged business model, we will see another bubble. This model must meet all the requirements of various e-commerce sectors; vertical markets, horizontal markets, and consumer markets. But this category has always been a victim of regulatory and legal scrutiny.
Application examples of 5G in the Internet of Things
Artificial intelligence algorithms and automation can and will replace many human jobs in the near future. Here's a brief overview of how and why:
1. Car
One of the key use cases for 5G is the concept of connected cars, enhanced vehicle communication services including direct communication (between vehicles, between vehicles and pedestrians, and between vehicles and infrastructure) and network-assisted communication for autonomous driving. In addition, supported use cases will focus on vehicle convenience and safety, including intent sharing, route planning, coordinated driving, and real-time local updates.
This brings to mind the concept of edge computing, a promising derivative of cloud computing. Edge computing allows computation, decision-making, and action to be performed by IoT devices, pushing only relevant data to the cloud. These devices, called edge nodes, can be deployed anywhere with network connectivity: factory floors, tops of utility poles, beside railway tracks, in vehicles, or on oil rigs. Any device with computing, storage, and network connectivity can become an edge node. Examples include industrial controllers, switches, routers, embedded servers, and video surveillance cameras. 5G will make communication between edge devices and the cloud effortless.
2. Industry
The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is a network of physical objects, systems, platforms, and applications with embedded technologies, used to communicate with each other, the external environment, and people and share intelligence. The increasing availability and affordability of sensors, processors, and other technologies that facilitate the capture and access of real-time information are driving IIoT adoption. 5G will not only provide more reliable networks, but extremely reliable ones. Secure networks are provided for the Industrial Internet of Things by integrating security into the core network architecture. Industrial facilities will be among the primary users of private 5G networks.
3. Healthcare
The use of 5G will fulfill the demand for real-time networks, which will significantly transform the healthcare industry. Use cases include the real-time transmission of high-definition surgical videos for remote monitoring. The concept of real-time and higher-bandwidth telemedicine will become a reality, and IoT sensors will become more sophisticated, providing more in-depth patient medical information instantly. For example, doctors can examine and diagnose patients in emergency situations, and vehicles can save minutes on the way to the hospital, which could be the difference between life and death.
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 taught us the importance of alternative channels for in-person medical care. During this period, many startups created applications for telemedicine services, and 5G will drive the use of such applications, making our medical visits more efficient and reducing waiting times.
