Whereas 4G transformed the world ’ s digital industries , 5G is set to deliver a revolution across mission critical networks in physical space .
TECHNOLOGY
Whereas 4G transformed the world ’ s digital industries , 5G is set to deliver a revolution across mission critical networks in physical space .
WRITTEN BY : HARRY MANEAR
Given the fact that the total investment in 5G across the telecom sector last year came within a whisker of $ 2.7trn , it ’ s easy at first to question why carriers are pouring such eye-wateringly large sums of money into networks that have , in many cases , been delivering download speeds that aren ’ t really that much more impressive than those seen on 4G LTE infrastructure .
Phil Siveter , CEO of Nokia UK & I , reminds me , however , that while faster download speeds and immersive VR experiences to keep his children occupied on long drives are where our minds naturally go when we think about the 5G future , these elements of the technology are only a part of the puzzle . “ There ' s no question . Over the last 15 years , we ' ve seen a massive transformation of what you might call the digital industries , with things like online banking , streaming , and we ' re all consuming just about everything through the cloud . And we ' ve seen a massive transformation of those industries as a result ,” he explains . “ In some part , that ' s been underpinned by technologies like 4G . It ' s allowed us to access online banking using our phones , to be able to book restaurants and so forth .”
What we haven ’ t seen , Siveter continues , is as much of a transformational effect on physical spaces . “ But what we ' ve not seen yet , is the same level of
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