Already rolled out in the US and parts of Asia, the fifth-generation (5G) cellular network is expected to be mainstream by 2021. This technological advance will transform people’s experiences through their devices with the faster network. It will do more than change experiences, but also will considerably alter how Canadian telecom companies function moving forward.
At present, the Canadian telecom industry is an oligopoly operated by two major companies: Bell and Rogers. These giant companies control so much of Canadian telecommunications to be able to compete with American companies and have enough funds to maintain the infrastructure in Canada, a long and vast country that is sparsely populated.
With the introduction of the 5G network, a faster connection will provide an opportunity for Canadian telecom companies to expand their services and offer better connectivity. However, on a global scale, telecom companies must prepare for new issues that the 5G network brings. The 5G network affects 5 global trends:
1. The Internet of things
Since the Internet has become more easily accessible, the 5G network will catapult connectivity to a whole new level. These connections will create more business opportunities and result in a lot of data, specifically an expected 79.4 zettabytes (ZB) of data in 2025.
Customers will adapt to the faster network on a variety of devices creating more connections with easier and faster integration. Telecom companies then must determine how to deal with an increased customer base and data.
2. Data privacy
One of the biggest issues surrounding telecommunications is data privacy. As data sharing becomes more efficient, there will be more personal data that needs to be managed. This means the companies must prepare a method to ensure customer data privacy using transparency, preference, and consent with customers.
3. A ubiquitous cloud
Increased data must be stored somewhere and instead of multiple data clouds, the idea of a ubiquitous cloud can help with accessibility and connectivity. It will be a powerful source of data that users can use to innovate data process even further.
4. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML)
AI and ML will be much faster as algorithms become more proficient at predicting user actions. AI can fill in small gaps to automate online processes. But companies must consider how to use AI to benefit their customers. A bot can be useful in many ways, but can be a detriment to the customer experience such as customer communication – an important factor to the success of any company.
5. Digital divide
Finally, bridging the digital divide has been a core issue since the Internet entered the mainstream. The 5G network will open doors for more innovations to provide access to the Internet where it is lacking for a real, global connection. In Canada, this means making the Internet more accessible in neglected regions far away from city centers.
Overall, the global telecommunications industry is expected to change drastically with the improved 5G network. It will expedite data sharing with the hope of creating new possibilities through the Internet.
