5G, the fifth generation of wireless mobile networking technology, represents a revolutionary leap forward, introducing groundbreaking advancements in speed, latency, capacity, connectivity, and the innovative concept of network slicing. As 5G gradually unfolds across the globe, it holds the promise of reshaping the technology and communication landscapes.
Exploring the tangible improvements to speed and latency, 5G technology is capable of delivering speeds up to 20 times faster than its predecessor, the 4G/LTE network. While actual figures may vary, Statista‘s research found the “reliable” 5G speed to be an average of seven times faster than 4G.
Perhaps more important even than speed, network latency refers to the time it takes data to travel from source to destination. Latency over a 5G network is expected to drop from around 50 milliseconds to an astonishingly low 1 millisecond, making interactions virtually instantaneous.
As 5G continues its rollout, the transformative impact on technology and communication is eagle anticipated.
Benefits of 5G for UCaaS
The implications of these impressive figures and other advancements ushered in by 5G are significant improvements within the Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) landscape. Below we will discuss five areas where 5G has the potential to elevate and refine unified communications solutions.
UHD Video Calling
Leveraging the high speeds and minimal latency of 5G, UCaaS solutions could deliver Ultra-High-Definition (UHD) video calling and conferencing. The crystal clear visual and voice quality would make virtual meetings and collaborations even more effective than before. Team meetings would be free from misunderstandings and interruptions, trainings would be highly effective, and conversations with customers would be professional and efficient.
Read more about the benefits of video conferencing in our article gloCOM Meeting: Expanding Growth Through Unification.
Remote Collaboration
While we have written extensively about the benefits of remote working and our tools to enable remote collaboration and productivity, it is crucial to also consider the challenges associated with working outside a traditional office setting.
One of the biggest hurdles faced by remote workers is internet reliability. Even the most sophisticated and well developed solutions can be compromised by low seeds and high latency, leading to problems with lag, subpar sound or video quality, and dropped connections.
Unleashing 5G around the globe holds the potential to be a gamechanger in refining hybrid work environments. With exceptionally high-speed connections, even in remote or rural areas, the prospect of uninterrupted productivity becomes a reality.
As 5G becomes increasingly pervasive, it will transform the landscape, offering a reliable foundation for seamless remote collaboration.
Network Slicing
With the introduction of 5G came network slicing, a cutting-edge technology that enables network administrators to partition the network into virtual “slices”, dedicated to specific and unique requirements.
In the realm of unified communications, network slicing emerges as a powerful tool to reserve bandwidth for specific applications or services. Imagine allocating slices of the network for activities like video conferencing, data backups, or customer interactions, ensuring optimal performance and customization within the UCaaS framework.
Mobility
Mobile devices have become an integral part of the contemporary workforce, with businesses increasingly adopting unified communications apps, hybrid work options, and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies.
The transformative influence of 5G technology is already available on many mobile devices around the world, giving us a taste of the incredible benefits to come.
Where UCaaS mobile apps are already enabling on-the-go collaboration and seamless communication between locations, adding 5G to the mix would make call quality pristine with absolutely no change detected between locations.
Cloud Computing
The advantages of transitioning communication to the cloud are expansive and unmistakable. We have discussed those benefits extensively on our blog. So it comes as no surprise that shifting a greater portion of operations to the cloud would be wildly beneficial to businesses.
5G network speeds would support a full adoption of cloud technology, helping businesses to reduce upfront and ongoing costs and optimize their operational efficiencies and productivity.
Discovering Immersive Experience Technologies
The emergence of cutting-edge technologies like Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) brings vast potential to the UCaaS landscape to revolutionize meetings, collaborations, and training.
The integration of these technologies could be made seamless by 5G technology and its exceptional speed and minimal latency.
Virtual Reality, employing specialized headsets, creates a digital, interactive environment where users can engage and look or move around.
Augmented Reality, on the other hand, overlays digital information or graphics onto real-world surroundings, enhancing the user’s perception.
These immersive experience technologies could bring a paradigm shift in the dynamics of virtual meetings, collaborations, and trainings, and virtual assistants.
Envision having a holographic representation of the person you are speaking with or gaining virtual access to a distant environment. This sounds futuristic and abstract, but it has already been implemented in other sectors, the gaming sector for example with VR games and AR apps like Pokemon Go.
Integrating these same technologies, powered by 5G, into unified communications would open new doors to unprecedented levels of productivity and collaboration.
Challenges and Considerations
While the potential of integrating 5G with Unified Communications sounds promising and exciting, the journey is not without its hurdles.
We would be remiss not to discuss the challenges and considerations associated with this groundbreaking technology.
Finances
One of the most significant hurdles to universal deployment of 5G is the restrictive costs. Deploying a 5G network involves substantial investment in new infrastructure, including antennas, base stations, and other advanced technologies. These financial commitments can be a significant or impossible burden for businesses.
Integrating 5G technology into UCaaS solutions may require adaptations or upgrades to existing infrastructures and hardware, incurring additional expenses. As organizations strive to embrace the enticing communications benefits of 5G, they must carefully weigh the financial implications and the ultimate Return on Investment (ROI).
Security
As with any new technology, we must consider the security and privacy risks that may come with integrating 5G into UCaaS. Vulnerabilities, from risk of attack to potential security breaches, have not been fully identified and addressed yet. 5G is a very high profile technology, making it an attractive target for track.
As communications solutions providers, we are often responsible for protecting sensitive communication and data exchanges, so we cannot dive into new technologies without doing our due diligence. At the very least, the adoption of 5G should include the implementation of a plan for security and real-time monitoring.
Limited Access
As 5G is still in its rollout phase, coverage is not yet universally available to integrate into Unified Communications as a Service solutions. A report from Ericsson estimated that global 5G coverage would reach 45% by the end of 2023. It is expected to reach 85% in 2029.
Integrating 5G into a UC solution too early could result in spotty service, particularly in rural or remote areas or countries that have not begun deploying 5G, leading to disparities in the quality and reliability of the UCaaS services.
Looking Forward
The emergence of 5G technology and its implications are exciting, to say the least. Converging high network speeds, low latency, and the opportunity for immersive experiences with UCaaS opens the door to redefining communication and collaboration.
Despite the immense challenges holding us back, we cannot help but feel excited about the promise of transformative technology and unlimited innovation. Will you join us on this exciting journey into the future?