5G is a developing standard and a set of technologies that include MIMO, the use of the millimeter wave spectrum, small cell technology, and improved network management techniques. Together, they…
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Qualcomm estimates that 5G will create $12.5 trillion of economic output over the next decade and a half, creating 3.4 million jobs in the US alone. The economic opportunities are hard to quantify, but it’s a certainty that 5G’s greater bandwidth, lower latency, and reduced power requirements will create both challenges and opportunities for US businesses. One of the biggest challenges may be hiring executives and implementing training programs to cultivate the expertise businesses need to flourish in a 5G world.
5G is not merely a welcome but insignificant boost to wireless network capabilities. Rather, it promises mobile connectivity faster than the wired broadband most consumers can access, latencies low enough to make real-time applications a reality, and power consumption so efficient that tiny smart devices like sensors might last for years on a single charge. 5G is a game changer.
Throughout 2019, telecoms will continue to roll-out 5G networks across the US. Businesses should have a hiring and training strategy in place to make the most of the coming opportunities. They will require executives and employees that fall into three broad groups: those with networking expertise related to the implementation of 5G network technology, product specialists and developers capable of building the products and services made possible by 5G, and professionals who can manage the business model and communication changes that 5G will instigate.
5G Technology Implementation
The most significant area of demand is likely to be 5G engineers. It’s estimated that more than a million roles will be created for engineers with 5G expertise in the coming decade. Businesses focused on wireless networking products will need to hire executives who can oversee 5G implementation and engineers with the expertise to carry out the necessary work. In addition to hiring, networking companies should also invest in training to broaden the technical knowledge of their current engineering teams.
5G radically increases the amount of data that can be sent over wireless networks. It will result in many more connected devices deployed in industry and the consumer space. Internal networks may have to be upgraded to cope with the traffic generated by 5G applications, requiring professionals with expertise in networking, IT infrastructure, and the cloud.
Product Leadership and Development
5G opens the path to more data-intensive applications and services than was possible with earlier wireless networks. We expect to see a rapid proliferation of virtual reality, augmented reality, high-definition video, real-time monitoring, and other high-bandwidth applications. It’s likely that these applications will make widespread use of machine and deep learning technologies to surface useful insights and shape the user experience.
These are opportunities to be grasped by businesses with executives who can visualize the possibilities and lead teams to create the next generation of applications and services.
Security
The CTO of Telecom Italia recently commented that the security threats around 5G were his worst nightmare. 5G will instigate a boom in sensor-equipped connected smart devices which will generate a torrent of sensitive data that must be transported, analyzed, and stored securely. When consumers and businesses fill their spaces with always-on connected devices recording everything from shopping preferences to heartbeats and blood glucose levels, security has to be a priority.
Preparing For 5G
By 2022 most urban and many non-urban areas will be connected to 5G networks. Businesses with executive leadership expertise and technical fluency in the technologies we have discussed will be well placed to take advantage of the substantial economic opportunities created by 5G wireless networks.
