Covering Disruptive Technology Powering Business in The Digital Age

Written By: Mysore Madhusudhan, Executive Vice President, Collaboration and Connected Solutions, at Tata Communications

According to GSMA, 5G is expected to contribute an impressive USD $960 billion to global GDP. As one of the leading regions for 5G adoption, its continued growth and rollout in Asia Pacific will bring about transformative benefits to organisations here.

One of the biggest impacts that 5G developments will bring is the advancement of Human-to-Everything connectivity. As more and more devices become connected to the internet, and to other devices, people will be able to interact in new and more powerful ways. Anything can be connected, from factory floors, vehicles, remote sensors and more.

A growth in standalone (or private) 5G networks will drive this, enabling new and immersive experiences that were not possible before. Imagine using augmented reality (AR) on a vehicle manufacturing line to help assess faults in real-time. By bringing improved efficiency across the value chain, connectivity will act as a catalyst for further growth.

5G in Action

We can see this in action, with the number of devices connected to the Internet of Things (IoT) predicted to reach 30.9 billion by 2025, according to Statista. Whether it is from a mobile device or a controlled private location, IoT has allowed organisations to interact on a larger scale. Connecting ordinary objects such as security systems and smartphones enables businesses to compete in the future, with data to power up decision-making.

For instance, there are already examples of sensors being used to monitor warehouse stock levels alongside GPS-enabled shopping carts. It’s a win for consumers who have guaranteed access to the goods they want – and it’s a win for retailers who can anticipate demands more precisely and manage stock levels accordingly.

The Race to 6G Has Begun

Looking ahead, the race to 6G is already intensifying across Asia Pacific. Singapore has announced its plans to launch Southeast Asia’s first 6G lab while South Korea aims to launch 6G by 2028.

“One of the biggest impacts that 5G developments will bring is the advancement of Human-to-Everything connectivity. As more and more devices become connected to the internet, and to other devices, people will be able to interact in new and more powerful ways.”

Eventually, 6G is expected to allow even faster speeds and capacity than 5G by several levels of magnitude. For instance, 6G internet will aim to support one microsecond latency communications—1,000 times faster than what is possible with 5G.

Some other potential applications of 6G internet include an integrated space-air-ground-sea network for truly global network coverage and more efficient wireless access points that can handle more users simultaneously. Mobile edge computing will also be built directly into all 6G networks, pushing the limits of artificial intelligence (AI) beyond what is possible today.

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