The future is 5G

Around the world, the sheer amount of data generated and shared is surging, buoyed by changes in lifestyle and developments such as digitalisation, the increasing popularity of streaming content, and growing social media use. Indeed, IDC says that it now expects¹ the collective sum of the world’s data to reach 175 zettabytes by 2025.

Perhaps what is more astounding is the sheer rate of growth: From 17,000 hours of Netflix watched per minute three years ago, today more than 700,000 hours of Netflix is consumed every minute. And while the number of global searches on search giant Google per minute was 2 million five years ago, it has almost doubled to 3.8 million today.

The role of connectivity in directing and delivering this deluge of data cannot be understated. To reach end-users at work and play, data bits typically traverse a complex network of fibre optic cables and banks of telecommunication switching equipment. At the last mile, the data reach end-user devices through either a broadband connection, public Wi-Fi hotspots, or mobile networks.

And we are not just talking about leisure digital consumption such as media streaming or browsing the Internet. In the office and within data centres, this vast network of connectivity keeps an unending torrent of data crisscrossing between a plethora of digital systems powering businesses and industries. Thanks to this connectivity, anything from the mass rapid transit, just-in-time manufacturing systems and supply chains can continue to run smoothly. 

And the role of connectivity will only increase, as enterprises continue to turn towards the cloud, roll out large-scale IoT deployments to build smart cities, and develop more advanced services such as ultra-high-definition video streaming and cloud gaming².

It is not hard to see how 5G fits into our world of data and connectivity. While the bulk of internet access is still through wired connections, mobile access is skyrocketing. Today, the number of unique mobile subscribers is about 6 billion, with about 280 million smartphones sold in Q2 this year alone, according to a report by Ericsson³. 

As smartphones are used from texting, streaming movies, making payments and even unlocking our home⁴, the sustained growth of smartphone use is slowly but surely taking a toll on current mobile networks. 5G was developed to meet the next-gen mobile needs of the future, offering fast mobile data speeds, extremely low latency, and much better reliability for a mobile-first world. 

However, 5G is also much more than downloading our next video faster. Imagine a mobile network that can reach every corner of the island. From offices, warehouses, to factories, data can be reliably delivered and accessed without the need for inflexible cabling. For a manufacturer, this might translate to the ability to easily redeploy machinery – connected through a private 5G network – for greater competitiveness.

Technical capabilities aside, developing and deploying 5G is a global effort by multiple product vendors, telecommunication providers, and researchers. Its strength comes from its openness and a global deployment built on the same standard. And as 5G makes its way into smart factories, autonomous vehicles, and telemedicine, expect an entire ecosystem of 5G-based services and products to emerge.

As we head into the future, these new 5G solutions will push the boundaries of what is possible to shape the future. Already, IoT is being used in Australia to ensure optimal conditions in food production. Imagine a future of 5G controlled farming robots and even more advanced connected sensors.

Ultimately, 5G will change the way we work and create new jobs, heralding a new wave of economic opportunities. According to a report by the World Economic Forum⁵, 5G will create new value across industries and society. It will add as much as US$13.2 trillion in global economic value and 22.3 million jobs in the 5G global value chain alone, making it a key economic driver globally.

In September 2020, Singtel launched a 5G non-standalone (NSA) network delivering speeds of more than 1Gbps, and Singapore’s first 5G standalone (SA) trial network for enterprises. Singtel’s 5G Garage, Singapore’s first live 5G facility, aims to develop the 5G ecosystem in the country and drive 5G solutions for enterprises.

Speak to us to find out about Singtel’s 5G capabilities.

¹ The digitization of the world from edge to core David Reinsel, Seagate, November 2018.

² Half a billion dollars in 2020: The cloud gaming market evolves as consumer engagement & spending soar Guillherme Fernandes, Newzoo, September 2020.

³ Ericsson Mobility Report Ericsson, June 2020.

⁴ The lock has evolved: Open doors with your phone Geoffrey Fowler, The Wall Street Journal, October 2014.

⁵ The impact of 5G: Creating new value across industries and society World Economic Forum, January 2020.