5G, the next-generation cellular data network, with unimaginable levels of speed, is soon to become widespread. Its research, development and marketing have taken tireless efforts and heavy investment by key stakeholders.
But what will the reaction of consumers be? And will the work of so many people pay off? These questions can only be answered with the spread of 5G. To satisfy consumers, their expectations need to be taken into consideration. This can lead to much better planning and organisation.
Numerous surveys have been conducted till now, revealing that many consumers think 5G can bring about visible changes in their personal as well as professional lives. This can and has also led to the greater interest of people in capitalising on the development of 5G. This democratises high-end content and user experience for the masses with low-latency and high-bandwidth connectivity.
The following are some of the many expectations of the consumers from the new technology.
Revolutionary Speed
The first and foremost expectation, and also the most common one, is high-speed internet. Seamless streaming and faster downloads are one of the most desired aspects of internet services. And many consumers know that this is just one of the most basic advantages that 5G companies can offer. Of course, there are still many features and benefits that are still not popularly known.
Offering monthly packages with devices and subscription can lead to a clear opportunity for monetising their connectivity. Thus, it can be proved that superior levels of consumer experience are not only limited to expensive equipment.
Unparalleled Entertainment
Beyond high-speed internet, the entertainment sector would also be impacted by the proliferation of new technology. The introduction of better services, with 5G being widespread through 5G fibre optic cables and FOSC (fibre optic splice closure) will surely lead to better quality gaming (as expressed by around 26% of the consumers during a survey).
AR/VR is a much-awaited aspect of the modern-day technology which can lead to unimagined experiences for consumers. For instance, watching the Super Bowl or playing Fortnite with virtual reality sets will take these experiences to a whole new level.
Moreover, after high-quality video streaming, the most exciting part of 5G according to the consumers is virtual reality. Yet, most of the VR applications and services are still in their infancy. The high-quality headsets are still costly, installed with complex hardware that increases their weight. However, with 5G providing low latency and high speeds, cloud and edge computing can be made functional. It is estimated that VR is going to be the fastest-growing media segment in the next 5 years, and fifth-generation networks will play an integral role in this trend.
Work and Education
Moving on, 5G companies may also introduce services catering to professionals and students. Of course, the whole idea of processes like splicing and components like FOSC (fibre optic splice closure), is to segment 5G services. To make 5G accessible, one of the most common and efficient ways is through 5G fibre optic cables.
According to some surveys, many consumers expect significant changes in their professional lives with the launch and adoption of 5G. This includes the hope that remote work can become seamless. Moreover, training, video conferencing, online teaching, and many other virtual activities can become more efficient and hassle-free with high bandwidth networks.
Training requires real-time, one-on-one interaction between the trainer and the trainees, which is not only possible but also very efficient with the aid of 5G. The next-generation workforce can be supported by the implementation of this, by minimising the barriers between physical and virtual workplaces.
And with what 2020 has taught us, social distancing is to be maintained. Hence, almost all sectors of the economy need to adopt a virtual or hybrid framework in the short and long run. One can also say that COVID-19 made a case for 5G, as everyone realised the importance of high-speed internet and seamless streaming, so that daily work and studies go about smoothly and efficiently.
Bundle 3.0
Consumers are already familiar with packages combing the internet, TV and mobile. But now along with these bundles, 5G will lead to a launch of partner ecosystems. Most consumers would pay an additional amount for the addition of 5G in their bundles to expand their list of services and entertainment, hence higher revenue generation for many of the related firms can become a possibility.
Many of the OTT services such as gaming and videos can lead to flexible bundling of the 3.0 ecosystem. Seamless, faster, lower latency, simple authentication, and management of the full package, with convenient payment methods among the rich ecosystem of today’s OTT services, can prove to be one the most effective opportunities made possible by 5G.
To sum up, 5G is set to deliver high-quality services, hence yielding numerous rewards for the providers that are ready to explore, exploit, and embrace the seemingly endless potential of this new technological marvel. This calls for investment in processes and materials like horizontal directional drilling, fibre optics and FOSC (fibre optic splice closure).
And there’s much in it for the consumers, especially millennials. The younger demographic is likely to jump on the 5G bandwagon soon, due to the improvement and enhancement in the sector of high-quality video streaming and E-sports.
By creating more awareness about consumer demand and carrying out more surveys to know more about what each demographic wants can lead to better implementation of 5G in our daily lives. Those who realise its true potential, and monetise it are surely going to succeed in the coming years. Industry leaders will be those who can institutionalise such technologies as part of their market strategies, creating many more revenue-generating opportunities. Hence, in just a few months or a year, 5G would be able to make its way into our lives, improving it for the better.
