The promising next generation of mobile network technology--5G--is supposedly set to connect everything and everyone in the world with its fast and reliable network connectivity yet we have only seen divisions on its early onset. Would 5G connect the world as one or would it only entangle the ties of each nation competing for it?

What’s inside?

• The tension caused by 5G’s emergence
• Nations’ Game: The Competition for 5G
• Possible Applications of 5G in the Future Days
• Driving force of economic growth
• Smart Cities and Homes
• Artificial Intelligence
• Final Thoughts

It is expected that the Internet of Things will expand at an exhilarating rate with the specs the fifth generation of network technology has to offer. In an advertisement clip of the said mobile network technology, self-driving cars and smart industries powered by multiple smart devices are featured highlighting the unbound possibilities brought about by 5G. This connectivity advancement is a collected effort of multiple countries from Europe, Asia, and America which are eyeing to produce a united global network connectivity. 

Nonetheless, the newborn network technology which is supposed to tie the nations as one has become tangled with emergence of national security issues and tough economic competitions. Specifically, Western nations are having difficulties in balancing the competition and collaboration they have with China with regards of national interest. 

Tension Arising

The tension became more rigid as the issues directed to one of China’s giant telecom companies, Huawei, emerged. A notable threat with regards to national interests and national security was pointed out by various nations as the leading China Telecom strengthens its dominance in the innovation of network equipment, smartphone development and production, and revolutionizing sophisticated chips. It was just recently when Huawei was accused of stealing valuable technological information. Nations fear that the stolen information might be used for cyberespionage that would endanger the national security of each nation involved. The suspicion only became more sound as Huawei set its unyielding bind with China. 

Even before the roll out of the unifying network technology, the world has already been divided because of it. The United States has already relayed its answer to China’s rising dominance in 5G network technological innovation by banning Huawei and other giant Chinese Telcos such as ZTE. U.S allied nations have also followed the action in hampering the malicious domination of China’s Telcos. Nonetheless, China’s 5G tech has been welcomed by its neighboring countries such as Russia, Argentina, Brazil, Thailand, and Philippines. 

With the promising advantages of the new generation of mobile technology could shift the national strengths of countries which is the core cause of global tensions. Each country wants to get a hold of this technology for their advantage. However, the nation to nation disputes have only made setting the global network standard more difficult. 

So far, the standards that have been outlined for the global 5G feature an unbelievably fast wireless speed connection of 1GB per second. You could literally download an HD Netflix movie in a split of a second with this kind of connection. The network boasts its low latency connection which will provide users a less lag gaming or streaming experience. A higher network capacity is also expected with 5G. This will pave the way to the swift expansion of the Internet of Things. With 5G technology, multiple smart devices will be able to connect to each other while sensors and processors of hardwares would be able to saturate more in the areas where they are located. Such advancement would also be useful in the development of Artificial Intelligence viable for the production of autonomous machines or bots like self-driving cars. 

Several companies have contributed in setting the technical standards of 5G. The technical specifications are developed by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The group consists of standards organizations from the United States, South Korea, China, Japan, and India. Final touches are being processed for the Version 16 of the new mobile technology.  Expected features to be added are device hopping, vehicle to vehicle communications, and a more reliable connection. Nonetheless, it is notable that in the innovation of this mobile technology, a large portion of contribution was made by China’s standards firms. From the previous network, the 4G, European and U.S tech organizations have contributed more. 

Nations’ Game: The Competition for 5G

Having said all these beneficial advantages of 5G technology, countries are now racing to acquire it as it could greatly shift the economic and national strengths of a country. Unfortunately, the competitive market environment for such innovation has only caused division of countries and alliance against other countries invoking dominance on the technology. 

This is very evident in the dispute of the economic giants U.S and P.R.C. However, amidst the tension as a result of the emergence of 5G technology, both are still trying to collaborate with each other while maintaining open commercial ties. The U.S Secretary of State has even hailed telcos from U.K, India, Australia, and South Korea as “clean telcos” which could be seen as an indirect attack against China’s Huawei. Surprisingly though, the U.S clarified a regulation last month which allows U.S companies to work with Huawei in developing technical standards. 

On the other hand, some countries seem to silently ride the tidal wave which resulted from the disputes of the economic giants to ace the race as the others are busy competing. Japan has set its 5G technology to compete in the global stadium. Singapore has secured its tie with NTT Docomo, Japan’s leading telco, which will provide the country its 5G technology. Japan has also shown prospects in crafting their own version of the 5G technology sooner.  

Possible Applications of 5G in the Future Days

The arrival of 5G connection is expected to swiftly boost the expansion of the Internet of Things. The low latency, large network capacity, and faster connection speed of 5G would enable amazing possibilities in the future. Here are some of the future applications of the new generation of modern technology. 

Driving Force of Economic Growth

The fast and reliable internet connectivity brought by 5G is a vital factor in the development and success of industrial sectors. Transactions will be made faster with the new generation connectivity. Business to business transactions and business to customer connections can be made over the internet for convenience and ease. Intelligent industries are also now being set up where smart devices are utilised in monitoring and assisting the industrial processes with the aid of 5G. 

Smart Cities and Homes

With the larger network capacity of 5G, multiple smart devices can now be connected to each other at home or in cities without the worry of malfunctions and congestion. The devices would be able to function better with the connectivity of 5G. Sensors and processors of smart devices could saturate a larger area because of the wide ranged signal of the new generation mobile technology. 

Artificial Technology

The dream of having a self-driving car is now only an inch away from our hands. The features of 5G would enable vehicles to communicate to other vehicles and scan its surrounding real-time to reduce the risk of accidents and traffic problems. Traffic bots would also be useful in guiding the drivers by directing them to traffic-free roads. 

Emergency response bots could also be used on emergency responses to reduce the risk of having the human responders hurt or injured. Survey bots are useful in scanning dangerous locations to reduce exposure of human responders to danger. 

Final Thoughts

5G could really be the unifying technology of the world. It would enable the people globally to connect to each other. Nonetheless, it has only caused divisions and tensions so far with its onset. This could be the results of the benefits and advantages of 5G could give which could greatly shift the economic and national strengths of a country. Before its major roll out, we could only hope that we will be able to enjoy the technology without the fear of having a global tension against the competing powers of the world. All in all, may the technology be used in good terms and ways.