5G technology is expected to launch in some countries sometime this year, and the telecom industry is thrilled about it, eager to experience the latest technology. With the introduction of this new cellular technology, there were many queries and concerns involved from the sides of carrier operators. The questions were mainly regarding the Return of Investment (ROI) as many companies were yet to experience the surge of return from their 4G adoptions.
The financial uncertainties aside, not many could doubt the various opportunities that would emerge with the development of the 5G infrastructure.
5G is expected to positively impact the present telecom networking hierarchy. The introduction of 5G technology will lead to three major implications; enhanced mobile broadband, ultra-reliable low-latency communications, and massive machine-type communications. All these were previously difficult to administer due to its requirements of a substantial increase in speed, reliability, and latency.
All carriers need to plan the adaption and deployment of 5G cellular technology as they predict their future standings as an organization in the coming future. But even with all the benefits that 5G has to offer, there are some drawbacks that organizations can see. As there are no innovations without some limitations, 5G too has some limitations.
- Device compatibility
To enjoy the full advantages of 5G technology, it needs to be compatible with both ends of the communication cycle. Just the enablement of the 5G transfer from the operator side is not enough for it to come into use. The client-side needs to be equipped with handheld devices that are enabled to process 5G signals.
Even in this modern age, there are many companies that are still not equipped to empower their devices with 5G capability. Surprisingly, even the market giants like Apple don’t have a model currently available that is compatible with 5G technology.
- Accessibility
Accessibility and proximity is another limitation that plagues this innovational technology. 5G is set to use millimeter wavelength, which is considerably smaller than the ones used by 3G and 4G. Therefore, the coverage of 5G is going to be much harder to reach and access than the ones for 3G and 4G.
Carriers need to invest in the development of a larger array of transmission towers and stations as well as signal boosting equipment to combat this limitation.
- Security
Data Security is always the first priority when considering any new implementations in this digital age. 5G is developed to have a completely different security model than the ones of 3G and 4G. It will be necessary for all carrier organizations to completely master these security protocols and in order to provide and develop a secure service environment.
- Access in rural regions
Access to 5G technology is going to be difficult as the cost of urban development is no small expense. To bear these expenses requires an adequate amount of planning which means that it will still be years before 5G reaches such remote areas. However, this is also a major problem as one of the biggest industries that are targeted by this technology is found in such areas.
The limitations of 5G technology are well visible, but the benefits of this invention greatly outweigh the cost and are well worth it. With efficient actions to evolve and better accommodate this innovation, companies can combat and come out on top of this r=ordeal and provide the world with a new medium of data transfer.
