The podcast dives into the hype around 5G technology, exploring its capabilities, potential problems, and advantages. The experiences of field testing 5G in London reveal variability in speeds, network challenges, and high costs. The frustrations of poor internet connectivity in rural areas are highlighted, emphasizing the need for investment in infrastructure and addressing the digital divide.
The introduction of 5G could revolutionize various industries such as power companies, manufacturing, and healthcare, enabling innovative applications and improved efficiency.
The adoption of 5G may exacerbate the existing digital divide, with rural and less affluent communities facing inadequate access to high-speed internet, highlighting the need for urgent action to address the issue of inequality in 5G adoption.
Deep dives
Potential Applications of 5G Technology
One of the main advantages of 5G is its potential to enable a range of innovative applications. For example, in California, power companies could use sensors on a 5G network to detect when a power line is falling and shut off the power before it hits the ground. Additionally, a 5G network could support a fully sensor-controlled factory, where devices communicate through the network to ensure high reliability. Moreover, the automotive industry could benefit from a 5G network, as it enables vehicles to communicate with each other and infrastructure, leading to more efficient and safer autonomous driving.
Potential Impact on Healthcare
The introduction of 5G could revolutionize healthcare by enabling remote surgeries. With a reliable 5G network, doctors could perform surgeries on patients who are thousands of miles away. The low latency and real-time communication of 5G would allow surgeons to have a sense of presence, as if they were physically in the same room. This level of connectivity can also enhance the delivery of specialized healthcare services, allowing patients to access the best doctors regardless of location.
Challenges and Inequality in 5G Adoption
While 5G offers great promise, there are challenges and potential inequalities associated with its adoption. The rollout of 5G networks is expensive, and densely populated urban areas are prioritized due to faster network construction. This leaves rural and less affluent communities with inadequate access to reliable high-speed internet. The digital divide, which already exists, can be exacerbated by 5G, further excluding those who do not have the means to afford 5G services. Efforts are being made, such as the investment of revenues from 5G deployment to bridge this gap and connect more households to the internet, but urgent action is needed to address the issue of inequality in 5G adoption.
‘5G’ is a new buzzword floating around every corner of the internet. But what exactly is this hyped-up cellular network, often referred to as the next technological evolution in mobile internet communications? Will it really be 100 times faster than what we have now? What will it make possible that has never been possible before? Who will reap the benefits? And, who will get left behind?
Mike Thelander at Signals Research Group imagines the wild ways 5G might change our lives in the near future. Rhiannon Williams hits the street and takes a new 5G network out for a test drive. Amy France lives in a very rural part of Kansas — she dreams of the day that true, fast internet could come to her farm (but isn’t holding her breath). Larry Irving explains why technology has never been provided equally to everyone, and why he fears 5G will leave too many people out. Shireen Santosham, though, is doing what she can to leverage 5G deployment in order to bridge the digital divide in her city of San Jose.
IRL is an original podcast from Firefox. For more on the series go to irlpodcast.org