5G And IoT: Modern Technologies With Diverse Use Cases

5G and IoT or the Internet of Things are complementary technologies. How?   

Let’s dive straight into the blog to know how.   

What Is 5G?  

5G refers to the fifth generation of wireless mobile networks. It provides data speeds of up to 20 gigabits per second (Gbps) and has latency as low as 1 millisecond (ms). 5G is certainly faster, more reliable, and more effective than any of the present LTE networks. And hence, it will facilitate the processing of massive amounts of data in real-time, a task that is practically impossible with any other technology.   

What Is IoT?   

IoT or the Internet of Things refers to the technology used to connect multiple devices that can process and share data in real-time time. The four major components of IoT are – Devices, Connectivity, Data processing, and the User Interface (UI).    

IoT network includes a wide range of products; from wearables and smart homes to heavy machines and vehicles used for transportation.   

The Impact Of 5G On The Internet of Things  

5G enhances the responsiveness and effectiveness of the Internet of technology. It complements IoT technology by facilitating faster communication through higher data speed and the exchange of information between the connected devices. This allows the device to accomplish tasks faster.  

Additionally, the ultra-low latency network offered by 5G can help diversify the use of IoT for delicate tasks and procedures such as surgery, surveillance, marine survey, etc., as well. Furthermore, more devices can be connected at one time as 5G offers more connection density.   

5G in IoT offers more network capacity and bandwidth, low latency, and more stable connections, enhancing the reliability, efficiency, and uniformity of the devices and user experience. To top it all, 5G networks provide improved security with features such as secure boot, secure element, and network slicing. These features work better against cyber-attacks and data breaches, ensuring user data is secure.   

Markets and Markets has projected that the global 5G and IoT market would grow from $13.2. billion in 2023 to $59.7 billion by 2028, recording a growth of 35.1 % in 5 years.   

IoT Use Cases Enabled By 5G

The adoption and combination of 5G and IoT have the potential to add value to multiple sectors or industries. This section would hence put some light on 5G technology and IoT use cases across different sectors.   

Some of the industries/sectors that would benefit from this collaboration are:   

Healthcare  

5G in IoT is a boon for the health industry; it would maintain a strong connection between doctors and patients, even while the latter is in transit in an ambulance through ultra-HD video streaming. 5G would facilitate patient monitoring and telemedicine, and healthcare providers would be alerted in case a patient has symptoms through wearables.   

Furthermore, robotic surgeries are supported by the low latency features of both, 5G technology and IoT sensors.  

The combination of these technologies would make treatments more accessible whilst reducing costs and enhancing medical results.   

Agriculture And Dairy Farming  

IoT sensors powered by 5G across a farm can measure various real-time vitals such as moisture, fertilizers, and other chemical levels in the soil. This in turn helps to optimize human efforts to achieve the best results.   

Furthermore, these sensors can monitor and regulate key agricultural operations such as vehicles used throughout the harvesting lifecycle, and weather data, sending farmers real-time data alerts for quick actions and strategic decisions.  

Milk yield and livestock can also be monitored by these sensors and equipment can be controlled remotely.   

Smart Homes, City, And Traffic Management  

IoT sensors powered by 5G technology help people to monitor and control their home appliances through their smart devices. As for smart cities, these technologies can offer real-time data, identify demand patterns, facilitate better public policy decisions, and enhance resource management and public safety.  

5G also facilitates the automation of the smart electricity grid. Users can leverage telemetry and AMI using IoT devices. Furthermore, IoT technology supported by 5G helps with the live management of hybrid electric systems. It aids fast detection or prediction of faults and facilitates the timely implementation of solutions.    

As per a forecast, the total number of 5G Internet of Things (IoT) units sold, business to business, in 2023 is 44.8 million, with the 2^nd largest share of predicted sales in 5G IoT units, is for the use cases in smart cities, with 8.4 million units. 

For traffic management, IoT sensors gather real-time data from moving vehicles and road infrastructure and provide quick alerts to the concerned traffic department and maintain overall agility through the integration of these systems at multiple intersections of city streets.    

Remote Surveillance  

IoT sensors could facilitate remote, video surveillance with a strong network of 5G technology and ultra-HD video quality. This footage could be used to monitor facilities and production lines. Additionally, these sensors could aid high-security area monitoring.  

The low latency, high-speed transmissions facilitated by 5G would help with real-time alerts in times of chaos, intrusions, instances of vandalism, and unusual movements of people and goods.   

Manufacturing  

5G and IoT can be used to automate processes in the manufacturing industry. Furthermore, the combination facilitates predictive analysis for repairs through constant remote monitoring of production houses.  

It also helps in the integration of operators, machinery, and sensors to create workflow synergies, and the collection of crucial data helps to optimize digital and non-digital processes.  

Some examples of IoT technology being leveraged in the manufacturing sector are AR repairs, robotics, precision mining, etc.

Read also- Top 10 Technology Trends

Conclusion  

There will be more than 29 billion IoT devices in 2030. And 5G in IoT is a powerful combination that is going to bring a paradigm shift, along with other technologies, across many industries. It would transform the connectivity in urban areas and cities, not limited to just one aspect but would prove to be multi-purpose.   

Wider network connectivity and greater capacity, low latency, faster speed, etc., are all some of the 5G features that make this wireless technology a blessing for IoT devices and their connectivity.   

FAQs