5G & IoT: What can you expect in 2020

The Internet of Things or IoT is the interconnection of millions of physical devices over the cloud for better performance enabling sharing of data and communication. Wireless networks and cheap computer chips have made it easy to fit even the smallest of things in IoT infrastructure. Incorporating sensors in the otherwise dumb things we possess makes them work smartly, enhancing our productivity and performance drastically. From a child’s toy to huge trucks, all can now be a part of the IoT system making data sharing and control more accessible and practical. A smartwatch or wrist band helps track important information about you, which can help in achieving fitness goals, or a smart light bulb can auto-switch detecting your presence. What else, a whole city can be turned smart by sharing data and implementing techniques for improving the environment or switching traffic routes. Advantages of IoT are immense, but what does 5g or in other words, better communication speeds mean for IoT? Let’s see in detail.

What does 5g mean for IoT?

According to IoT Analytics, there were around 9.5billion IoT devices at the end of 2019, up from 8.3billion previously. This trend is expected to continue at a rapid rate due to better connectivity standards, which 5g is expected to offer. International Data Corporation (IDC) predicts worldwide IoT application development companies may spend up to $1 trillion by 2022. Such changes are propagated by the expectation of the rise of 5g technology shortly.

IoT devices contain sensors to gather and monitor data. Pressure/temperature sensors used in industries, security sensors to avoid theft or sensors to monitor your health conditions are prevalent everywhere as we see it.

All of them collect data that needs to be packaged and sent to the destination for further processing and control. They transmit data by using WiFi, 4g, 5g, etc. 5g can enable the interconnection of one million devices within one kilometer, providing an immense opportunity for IoT devices to prosper. A likely trend will be the use of edge computing infrastructures for cost reduction. Such system infrastructure will allow processing to be handled on-device and not on the cloud, and hence, more rapid communication is required between devices – the gap which will be filled by 5g.

Smart cities

Urban cities accommodate 60% of the world’s population. Effective management and smart infrastructure are crucial for better living standards and overall growth. Traffic management by using intelligent sensors to diverge traffic on other routes makes use of interconnection technologies like 5g to conquer the problem of congestion on roads better. AI and machine learning can process data using discrete sensors and gathering intelligent information to frame better policies for efficient governance.

Santander city in Cantabria, Spain, contains around 12,500 sensors connecting buildings, networks, and infrastructure to provide useful data about noise, congestion, and pollution. Individuals can use electronic cards or smart cards for availing various government services for better processing and transparency. More and more cities are going smart soon, opening new ways for interconnections among peers and data management.

Smart homes

Who must have thought in the 1950s of household devices talking to themselves and others? Now, we have them. Autonomous lighting systems, thermostats, security devices for preventing burglary and WiFi speakers have changed the lifestyle standards and expected to change it more and more soon. Smart devices are vulnerable to breach attacks such as DDoS( Distributed Denial of Service) and data theft. But, increased research and advancements in the field of cybersecurity are helping build a smart home infrastructure of the future.

Healthcare

Real-time monitoring of health-related issues by using sensors and IoT apps can provide useful insights and can be helpful for your doctor to serve you better. Medical devices connected to the IoT app development companies form a bridge to collect and analyze information for the physicians to provide on-the-go treatment and advice in need by developing IoT apps.

IoT enables interconnected communication for intelligent data exchange for a better healthcare service delivery. Connecting technologies like Bluetooth LE, WiFi, 4g, or 5g can help spot ailments at a fast pace for machine learning techniques to better understand the underlying issues for suggesting better treatment procedures. Real-time tracking is critical in life-threatening situations. Alerts for high blood pressures or lower pulse can alarm patients immediately to support well being.

IIoT

Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is the interconnection of computing devices or digital machines, which are often identified by a unique identifier to communicate and share data without human intervention. IIot market size is expected to expand to USD 950 billion by 2025, according to PR Newswire. But, why is it such a hype?

Useful analysis and control for better allocation of resources and management techniques are crucial for a competitive edge. Predictive analysis techniques make use of Artificial intelligence and Machine learning to provide patterns for framing better management decisions.

Such an analysis requires data monitoring and control by IoT devices. Better connected IoT communication due to 5g is an upcoming trend predicted to benefit IIoT infrastructure drastically.

Improved solutions to support global processes such as asset management and tracking in agriculture, manufacturing, and service sectors require on-the-go data transmission technology for quick and easy data access and control in real-time where 5g comes to the rescue!