Beyond fast internet: What else can 5G offer?

5G will dramatically increase the speed at which data is transferred (Photo by JOSEP LAGO / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — Because of its promising fast internet, 5G has been the talk of the town. But beyond speed and coverage, what else can 5G really offer?

While it’s true that 5G can boost download speed and video streaming, among others, it also has the capability to create huge opportunities and impact people’s daily lives.

“In 5G, the difference is that it’s not only about better connectivity or more capacity. It’s also about what it serves,” said Yosi Mor-Yosef, network solutions marketing director of software and services of Amdocs, during the recent Amdocs analysts’ day held in Singapore.

“The idea is the ability to improve the quality of service based on whatever the service providers will decide,” he added.

For instance, Mor-Yosef explained how 5G could allow previous models of mobile devices to “enjoy gaming at its full potential and at low latency.”

The scope for augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) may also be unlocked with 5G’s ability to “solve its high-bandwidth demand.”

Autonomous operations or “zero-touch operations” will also be possible, thanks to 5G. Self-driving cars and remote surgeries, no matter how mind-blowing it may seem, can evolve with 5G’s reliable connectivity.

“There is this example that everybody keeps saying about the remote surgery,” Mor-Yosef said. “Although I prefer the doctor to be in the room.”

Mor-Yosef said 5G could open up possibilities for telecommunication businesses to offer more services tailored for its consumers.

“It opens the doors for service providers to introduce many different services, to differentiate between the services and it helps in terms of management in a much more efficient way,” he said.

“I think it’s a very critical moment in the service providers’ lifecycle to use this opportunity and to really monetize the network beyond connectivity. That’s the big promise I think of 5G,” he added.

As its, mobile communications technology has already enhanced the ways people live, work. and entertain themselves, but the development of 5G proves that the wireless revolution continues to accelerate, without slowing down.

(Editor: Alexander T. Magno)