UAE set to catalyse connectivity with 5G

The mass adoption of 5G in the UAE will completely transform the landscape when it comes to how residents utilise their various connected devices, and further strengthen the Internet of Things (IoT) trend in the region.

Experts have noted that in addition to delivering faster Internet connection speeds and improved throughputs, 5G delivers higher user capacity than current 4G networks enabling more mobile broadband users per area and virtually unlimited data consumption. Users will be able to stream high-definition media many more hours per day with their mobile devices, and if Wi-Fi hotspots are out of reach, 5G will deliver improved device-to-device communication support, lower latency and less battery consumption than 4G platforms.

Marwan bin Shakar, vice-president of access and transport planning at du, said that 5G will completely change the connectivity experience by enabling all entities and players to transfer information instantaneously.

"5G is targeting three main areas: record speed, ultra-reliable low-latency connectivity, and massive capacity. 5G marks a paradigm shift of mobile industry from connectivity as a service to 5G network slice as a service. The concept of network slicing is what makes the 5G networks capable of delivering such tough and diverse targets. In 2015, we successfully contributed to the ITU Study Group on 5G and we are on course to offer this technology platform to the general public by 2020," Bin Shakar told Khaleej Times.

Jeroen Schlosser, managing director of Equinix Mena, says that the growing penetration of smartphones, extended network coverage, and increased demand for data services has accelerated the demand for 5G in the region.

"5G network will not only provide great internet speeds, but will help facilitate the use of smart vehicles, transport and infrastructure as well as allow for the control of remote devices. With UAE having the highest level of smart phone penetration at 73.8 per cent, 5G will definitely be the next-big-thing here in the region," he said.

Telecoms across the UAE have eagerly accepted that there is a unique opportunity for them to provide the network and roadmap for 5G opportunities, and facilitate technology adoption across various industries. In its latest report, Ericsson notes that UAE telecom operators who address industry digitalisation, can expect a revenue potential of $3.1 billion by 2026.

Bin Shakar explained that there is no "Big Bang" in 5G, but rather incremental milestones that take us step by step towards the future 5G Network.

"Du is taking many necessary steps towards the future 5G network which include the LTE-Evolution, Cloud RAN, Mobile Edge Computing and finally the future 5G New Radio. In this regard, we have established UAE 5G Innovation Gate (U5GIG) to push the boundaries of what is possible now and in the future, while at the same time actively participating in 5G development."

An important thing to note, experts say, is that 5G will make even more room for all the Internet-connected devices in our day-to-day life.

Christopher Bergey, vice-president of embedded and integrated solutions at Western Digital, said that though smartphones are the most connected devices that we use which relate to 5G, it is actually more about connecting to other Internet devices with sensors.

"5G will go well beyond smartphones and into computing devices that are embedded into everyday objects enabling them to capture, send and receive data. The Internet of Things technology market is expected to grow from over $130 billion in revenue to more than $883 billion at a CAGR of 32.4 per cent between 2016 and 2022, and covers hardware, platforms, software solutions and services that will create a host of derivative 5G products with enhanced storage capabilities," he said.

Schlosser said that retail and industrial will be the first industries to take advantage of IoT, as a key consequence of the 5G.

"Retail, with increasing mobile wireless products such as smartphones, wearables and home assistants, and the supply chain logistics that bring them to market, is leveraging the IoT to gain valuable customer insights, introduce new products and ensure customer satisfaction. And the industrial industry, with its connected turbine engines, power plants and vehicles, leverages the IoT to ensure greater efficiencies and safety in the production, running and maintenance of these things."

He believes that healthcare and financial services are up next, once these industries can better ensure the needed levels of privacy and security.

"In order to prepare for the 5G revolution and the IoT trend it will bring about, companies require close collaboration, investment and innovation from network and mobile providers, who are building all the new connections to these new IoT devices. IoT platforms will need to build the storage capacity and ability to crunch all the data coming from those devices that is required to get the real-time insights companies need to make the right business decisions."

Source: Khaleej Times