Running head: THE 5G TECHNOLOGY 1

5G Technology

Name

Institution
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Introduction

5G technology is a wireless technology that aims to provide high multi-data speeds,

improved reliability, huge network capacity, enhanced availability, uniform user experience, and

ultra-low latency. The technology also aims at achieving more excellent performance and

efficiency by integrating new user experiences and industries. The 5G technology is based on

orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM), a technique for regulating digital signals

through various channels to limit interference (Molina-Masegosa & Gozalvez, 2017). It also

applies an NR air interface together with broader bandwidth technologies like mm-Wave and

sub-6 GHz. The NR air interface improves the OFDM to ensure high levels of scalability and

flexibility. It increases the degree of accessibility of this technology to more things and people

and for several purposes. The technology is designed to deliver quicker and improved mobile

broadband services and improved access and usage in IoT and mission-critical communications

(Molina-Masegosa & Gozalvez, 2017). The paper discusses the various aspects related to the

application of 5G technology.

Industrial Application of 5G Technology

As a result of its characteristics, 5G technology is applied in various fields and industries

beyond the conventional mobile internet and telecom applications. The technology's industrial

application includes remote control, smart grid, self-driving, smart manufacturing, and VR/AR

(West, 2016). Self-driving is the most typical application of this technology due to its reliability,

network bandwidth, and latency requirements. Self-driving to be effective requires high

precision maps since they contain a considerable amount of vector data in real-time to ensure the

coordination between several vehicles, which requires latency and enhanced network reliability

(West, 2016). Remote control refers to remotely controlling operations through remote devices in
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medical treatment, engineering machinery, and drones. Further, the technology is used to support

VR games and videos and AR to support surgery, industrial design, equipment repair, and

assembly. The technology is also applied in smart manufacturing to enhance the flexibility and

efficiency of production processes. It is also used in the smart grid to support the generation,

distribution, and electrical power (West, 2016). Companies gain several benefits from applying

the 5G technology including faster data speeds that enhance company production operations. The

technology can also handle a huge number of devices that will enable the company to undertake

various operations at once through its broader spectrum band. The technology also offers a high-

speed remote network that allows the company employees to undertake company duties

regardless of their geographical location. 5G technology also supports the internet of things,

improving the analysis, and accommodating various company operations (Mitra & Agrawal,

2015).

Factors Boosting the Development of the Technology

The factors that boost this technology's development revolve around the potential of this

technology over the traditional 4G network technology. The benefits that 5G technology offers

include speed, enhanced capacity, ultra-low latency, better spectrum, and providing a unified

platform for enhanced user experience (Mitra & Agrawal, 2015). Additionally, the demand for

internet and mobile networking in various industrial applications is an area the technology can

exploit. People and industries are demanding the usage of internet and mobile network services

in several applications, which promotes the development of the technology (Mitra & Agrawal,

2015).

Critical Challenges of the 5G Technology

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Several challenges are faced in the development of 5G technology, including its

deployment and coverage. The limited range of its bandwidth waves require more infrastructure

installations and are affected by physical barriers. The cost of installing the technology is also

much expensive and will translate into high consumer costs. Further, only a few devices support

the technology, including smartphones. Therefore, there may be a limited number of devices that

use the technology at the moment. The technology is also faced with several cybersecurity risks

since it has loopholes that can be exploited by cyber attackers to exert extensive damage to users

(Mitra & Agrawal, 2015).

Competing Technologies

The competing technology to 5G technology is the 4G LTE technology. The technology

requires limited installation infrastructure due to the application of low-frequency waves that

travel through long distances. The 4G LTE technology is also not affected by physical obstacles

and is therefore used in connecting regions with numerous physical barriers. However, the

technology has limited application fields compared to the 5G technology. The data speed in 4G

LTE is also relatively slower compared to that of 5G technology. Additionally, most devices,

software applications, and carriers support the technology, thereby increasing its usability

(Molina-Masegosa & Gozalvez, 2017).

Potential Developments

The technology is expected to continue developing and gaining widespread personal and

industrial applications. It is expected to transform technology and offer a fresh mobile

experience. Further, the technology is expected to reduce energy consumption and maintenance

costs related to the internet and mobile services. Despite its high prices due to installation
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challenges, the telecom industry is developing cheaper alternatives to disseminate 5G

technology. 5G is expected to take a central role in communication and daily activities (West,

2016).

Conclusion

Conclusively, the 5G technology is one that offers developments in the mobile network

and internet services. The technology has various industrial applications, including remote

control, smart grid, self-driving, smart manufacturing, and VR/AR. The benefits that the 5G

technology offers include speed, enhanced capacity, ultra-low latency, better spectrum, and

providing a unified platform for enhanced user experience. However, the challenges faced in this

technology include the relative cost of installation, deployment, and coverage, and device

compatibility. The competing technology, 4G LTE, offers some advantages over the 5G

technology.

References
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Molina-Masegosa, R., & Gozalvez, J. (2017). LTE-V for sidelink 5G V2X vehicular

communications: A new 5G technology for short-range vehicle-to-everything

communications. IEEE Vehicular Technology Magazine, 12(4), 30-39.

Mitra, R. N., & Agrawal, D. P. (2015). 5G mobile technology: A survey. ICT Express, 1(3), 132-

137.

West, D. M. (2016). How 5G technology enables the health internet of things. Brookings Center

for Technology Innovation, 3, 1-20.