Over the last several years, there has been a growing buzz around the prospect of the 5th generation mobile network (5G). This has often been wrapped up in its potential to support automated vehicle networks or to underpin the infrastructure of smart cities. However, there are perhaps underrepresented practical applications in everyday business activities.
A particularly salient consideration right now is the rise of hybrid working methods. More companies are recognizing the benefits of shifting to a partially remote format, but this requires solid connections between staff, company, and consumers. Theoretically, this could be a space where 5G could be a vital component.
It’s debated whether or not 5G is strictly necessary for a hybrid workforce. Let’s take a look at some of the aspects worth considering.
What Is the Difference Between LTE and 5G?
Some form of wireless protocol is essential for hybrid workers. After all, they can spend part of their time working in different cities or even countries. Before establishing whether 5G is necessary, it’s important to understand it a little better. Not only does it help clarify whether it’s worth investing in it over LTE, but it can also mitigate the potential for disappointment with 5G if it fails to live up to your expectations.
There are some key differences between LTE and 5G that are worth taking a look at.
Speed
When considering the differences between LTE and 5G, it’s important to understand that both networks operate on the principle of information being sent over radio waves. The speed of downloading and streaming depends on the capacity of these waves to carry information. 5G networks offer a larger capacity than LTE which means that more users can operate at high connectivity speeds. This is particularly important when you have a growing workforce using the network at the same time.
Latency
Latency is not quite the same principle as speed. In essence, it refers to how long it takes for a packet of data to be sent from one device to another. This might not seem like a big deal when it comes to sending emails, but when it comes to devices needing to be in sync for safety or security purposes, every little bit counts. LTE already has relatively low latency, but 5G’s latency is practically negligible. It’s a small difference, but part of your consideration has to be toward how much latency your hybrid activities can afford.
Number of Devices
While LTE can handle multiple devices in a single space, it can certainly struggle at times with connection density. 5G networks don’t have this problem and are able to support around 1 million devices per square kilometer. This might not be a huge difference if your hybrid workers operate in relative solitude when away from the office. However, if part of their role requires them to maintain connectivity in busy events or airports while traveling, it can be useful.
How Could 5G Fit Into the Hybrid Environment?
It’s worth considering what practical applications 5G can have in hybrid settings and how it fits into business operations. On the most basic level, this network can be a tool for better hybrid collaborations. The low latency means that you can seamlessly utilize tools such as virtual whiteboards alongside video conferencing wherever staff happens to be without any drop in quality. This could mean your hybrid staff and business can benefit from more dynamic project meetings and planning sessions.
Alongside this, one of the most powerful components is the potential for 5G network slicing. This is the process of creating virtual network segments that can be tailored and deployed to suit various needs. Though, this is often dependent upon having a team with the skills to assess and implement the most effective segments. At the more complex end of the scale, this can result in your office network being divided between data-rich projects while still offering enough bandwidth for fast video conferencing. For remote workers, having 5G network slicing at home can mean data-heavy work practices won’t be dragged down by other users in the home streaming movies or playing online games.
There are also opportunities for hybrid businesses to utilize 5G to strengthen mobile cybersecurity. Data security is one of the key concerns when a portion of the workforce is operating from home or in public. The architecture of 5G has in-built processing elements which can allow companies to create consistent internal firewalls across the network. This approach also gives information technology staff full visibility and control over what devices are accessing the network.
What Are the Potential Challenges?
One of the key issues is that 5G is not yet available in all the areas where you can find LTE. As such, if you have remote workers operating from rural areas or living a digital nomad lifestyle, 5G may not always be an option. If workers are operating within a couple of miles from a 5G cell tower, a signal booster may help connect them to the network. However, it’s important to research the rollout to see if it will work for your staff.
Another potential difficulty is implementing company-wide adoption. 5G is still a relatively expensive tool. It may be the case that you’ll need to provide your hybrid workers with 5G network connections to their homes or offer to pay their expenses. 4
On a purely logistical level, you’ll also need to ensure all staff are connected and trained in 5G-use in relative tandem. It’s important to follow an intelligent decision-making process to visualize hurdles and identify where potential mistakes could arise. Once you’ve gathered the relevant data, you can utilize decision trees to explore your potential solutions to issues and even whether it may be better to wait to adopt 5G.
Conclusion
Strictly speaking, 5G isn’t a necessary tool for hybrid workers. Many employees’ needs can be adequately met with LTE networks. However, 5G does offer the enticing potential for more efficient operations, dynamic collaborations, and better security. It’s important to be aware of potential drawbacks, such as limited coverage, and plan ahead before diving into an investment. Remember, it’s still the early days for 5G. Over the next few years, many of the logistical challenges may have more immediate solutions.
