How 5G technology can turn science fiction into reality

August 8, 2018 - 6:07 PM
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A man tries out the virtual reality booth featuring Palawan's attractive underwater landscape. The exhibit is part of DOT's tourism show in London's Canary Wharf. Screen grab from DOT video.

The introduction of 5G technology in the country could bring faster internet and also massive innovation in various industries.

Ticket to the future

The advent of 5G networks is considered as the next step in mobile network technology and is expected to have almost 100 percent coverage and availability.

It is capable of improving data download speeds to 10 gigabytes per second, almost ten times the average speed around the world.

As it is expected to be more stable and able to transmit larger amounts of data than the current 4G network used commercially, experts believe 5G will develop and innovate different industries.

Telecommunications and electronics giant Ericsson introduced Wednesday its plans for driving the growth of 5G technology in the Philippines.

The Swedish company showcased the possible applications of 5G technology which include virtual reality-based communication, use of virtual reality to remotely control machines and more comprehensive and more engaging user interfaces for apps and websites.

The 5G network will be available for commercial use in most countries by 2020, according to technology experts and executives.

Growing technology

Because of its foreseen effect on different industries other than telecommunications, many are excited for 5G to finally go into commercial use.

Information campaigns on what to expect from 5G have sprouted up in recent months.

The world’s largest economies have invested in preparing for the technology. China has outspent the United States by $24 billion since 2015, building 350,000 cell phone tower sites in preparation.

China and South Korea are the leaders in the race to develop 5G technology, according to a study in April 2018.

Together with improved artificial intelligence in machines and cloud data, 5G is believed to be the catalyst for realizing technology like automated cars and ‘social virtual reality‘ which were once considered to be only the stuff of science fiction.

The U.S-based telecommunications company is among those reportedly preparing for the advent of 5G technology, after it invested in Renovo, a startup company venturing into automated vehicles, in May 2017.

However, there are still concerns about the viability of 5G, such as its security and privacy and its compatibility with more rural regions.