Even though providers will continue to market their 5G services to clients, businesses will get the most out of the latest cellular standard. But there will be a price to pay for faster wifi connections. Many companies must change their systems to use 5G’s speed. Here are 10 pros and cons of 5G that businesses will face as they use the 5G communication standard and the goods and services that go with it.
Advantages of 5G Network
- Speed
Theoretically, 5G can send data up to 20 Gbps faster than 4G and 4G LTE. The speed a business customer can get from their 5G provider will rely on several things, such as how close they are to towers, how advanced the carrier’s technology is, and whether or not the network elements have been built to handle multigigabit performance.
Still, 5G will allow businesses to use services like automation and advanced video meetings that were impossible with older standards. 5G not only has faster speeds, but it also has something else that is just as important: low delay.
- Very low latency
A lot cuts down the time required for network devices to react to requests with 5G. With 4G, the delay can be anywhere from 60 to 98 milliseconds. 5G reduces the delay to less than 5 ms, but the 3rd Generation Partnership Project, which sets guidelines, says the final goal is under 2 ms.
With this low latency, the lag in real-time interactions is almost gone. This will lead to a new breed of digital services that work the same no matter where they are. A big part of solo 5G, which companies are now trying and putting out, is also better delayed.
- Capacity
5G can connect many more devices simultaneously than 4G, up to 10 times more per square kilometer. So, businesses no longer have to choose between cellular and wifi wireless tactics when evaluating their wireless plans. With 5G, companies can toggle between cellular and wifi connections whenever needed.
They don’t have to worry that performance will go down or that mobile internet access will be limited, even in places like New York City and other big cities with many people. With 5G’s increased capacity, businesses can use more connected devices to watch systems and do other tasks. This will cause IoT to grow dramatically.
- A new wave of services based on AI and machine learning
5G will power a new breed of AI and machine learning-based engaging services. For example, augmented or virtual reality video conferences can help workers make better project choices by simulating surroundings. Automation will make it possible for businesses to use apps and services that are far more fast and accurate than they are now.
- Rethinking how the network works
Companies will have to rethink their networks because of 5G. Branch offices could use 5G as their main way to connect and use SIM cards to get internet service from various providers. Central and outlying offices could both benefit from more automation and security features.
Thanks to 5G-compatible parts that can quickly process and reply to requests, there will be less need for a data center uplink, making edge computing more common. Lastly, businesses can start offering new packages of specialized services.
Disadvantage of 5G Network
- Security
The transfer security methods for 5G are more complete than those for the 4G standard, but businesses could still face other security problems. The amount of IoT devices and parts connected to 5G networks will make businesses much more vulnerable to attacks that exploit weaknesses.
The 5G devices might be a reason for worry since nation-state players could infect chips and other parts to run those devices with software. Enterprises will also need to think carefully about whether or not to use network slicing, which is the process of building a virtual network for carrying a single app or service.
5G control software can be attacked, and a breach in any part of the infrastructure of the company or business could cause major security problems throughout the network. This year, vendors and operators will likely work hard to sell private 5G networks. Companies that dislike taking risks can use private 5G networks.
- Capex/Opex
To get the most out of 5G, businesses must update and replace network components with processors built to support the standard’s higher speeds and performance measures. Even as more 5G-compatible equipment comes out, businesses still have to figure out how to get the most out of their 5G investments when much of their network infrastructure is tied to older equipment. Price points will be very important because prices for carriers and tools are always changing.
- Not even coverage
Carriers have sped up the rollout of 5G partly by buying a band that gives them more communication options than millimeter waves. Still, 5G won’t be available in many parts of the United States for years.
Businesses with offices in rural areas may be more likely to have holes in their 5G service and rely on a mix of older ways to connect. Because of this, businesses that don’t have access to 5G or have to wait a long time for providers to bring 5G service to their areas could lose ground in the market.
- Line of sight and piercing problems
High-frequency mmWave signals can easily block everyday items, so getting service everywhere in an office or plant can be hard. So, businesses may need to rethink some buildings to ensure they can get good service or use mid-band or low-band 5G flavors, if offered by providers, to increase coverage.
- The hype factor
When businesses try to figure out how 5G will affect their operations, the claims from providers and suppliers can be too much to handle. Companies need to take the time to figure out how they plan to use 5G to get the most out of it and how to prove the return on investment. 5G is different from other technologies that were first used by businesses and then by individuals.
In the case of 5G, it’s the opposite. Enterprises won’t be able to use 5G in a big way until 5G-compatible devices are popular, 5G-specific apps and services are made, and real 5G connection is reliable everywhere.