As 5G technology, the fifth-generation wireless network that
replaces 4G, LTE and 3G networks, continues to expand, it is becoming
increasingly clear that developments are becoming a watershed. Ten times faster
than 4G LTE, 5G networks are now commercially available with 140 operators in
60 countries.
As TechRepublic previously reported, many people and
services are still stuck in the 3G network. As of mid-2019, according to a
report by Open Signal, there were more than 80 million active 3G devices in
North America.
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Meanwhile, upgrading to 5G is becoming more critical. Major
carriers plan to end 3G services soon (and the 4G LTE shutdown will inevitably
follow). AT&T said it would end its 3G network by February 2022. Verizon
plans to cut ties with the service by the end of 2022, while T-Mobile is
pulling out early and says it hopes to start cutting its 3G network by the end
of 2021 and continue shutting down through the end 2022. @smarttechpros

As COVID-19 has forced companies to shift operations from
the physical world to the virtual world, robust connectivity is the number one
business priority. Qualcomm's new #WhatsNextin5G series (available on YouTube)
shows what's happening in the world of 5G networks.
"We've seen rapid deployments from carriers around the
world and increased consumer demand for 5G-enabled smartphones and devices,
which is why 5G remains one of the fastest growing ecosystems," said Smee,
Vice President of Engineering, Qualcomm Technologies. . . Tell TechRepublic.
Smee is currently working on "5G Phase 2" - taking
the 5G ecosystem beyond the smartphone, which is happening alongside 3GPP
Release 17.
"I am excited to see these new use cases move from
innovative Qualcomm R&D designs to standardization and then to commercial
deployment until the technology is in people's hands," said Smee. He said
some of Qualcomm's work could help make the "factory of the future" a
reality.
See: Hiring Kit: 5G Wireless Systems Engineer (TechRepublic
Premium)
5G is now rolling out across various frequencies beyond
smartphone and mobile broadband. In Smee's opinion, the most promising
innovations are Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), Video, and Augmented &
Virtual Reality. Specifically, he said, FWA can help expand connectivity.
"The ability to have 5G connectivity in homes, small
businesses and rural communities is an advantage, as these groups can take
advantage of 5 G's fibre-like speeds over wireless technology," said Smee.
"This ability to leverage a network for mobility scenarios, as well as
provide connectivity to homes and businesses, is a great example of a
consolidated 5G investment that pays dividends in a growing range of scenarios."
Applying 5G to video and AR/VR is "one of the
cornerstones of 5G mobile broadband," Smee said. "Efficient and
efficient transmission of video, whether that be streaming movies or engaging
in a video call with colleagues and family, is one of the top examples of 5G
use cases."
And in the age of video conferencing, effective broadcasting
has never been more important. Smee continued that 5G, which has wider network
bandwidth and capacity, enables higher data speeds, which in turn leads to
better video quality. This expansion has implications for consumer and
industrial Internet of Things, transportation, and more.
5G and AI can "work in tandem to create a connecting
fabric of smart devices and services," Smee said. "Processing data
close to the source through on-device AI is important because it offers
important benefits including privacy, personalization, and reliability, as well
as helping to scale intelligence."
"My favorite thing is how our research translates to
this growing portfolio of new 5G devices, deployments, and applications that
take advantage of innovations in wireless networking, cloud processing, and
artificial intelligence," said Smee. "Taking a step back to see the
bigger picture allows us to focus on how we can move technologies forward and
bring them together in the best possible way." @techgeeksblogger