DIGITAL OPPORTUNITIES
The impact of 5G on digital transfor-
mation is a game changer – not only
for telecom communications but for
technological development. Edge com-
puting and 5G are also inextricably
linked and are positioned to significantly
enhance the performance of applica-
tions, enabling huge amounts of data to
be processed in real-time.
Mobile edge computing reduces lat-
ency, and 5G increases speed by up to
ten times that of 4G, thus introducing
compute capabilities into the network,
closer to the end-user.
“Interestingly, but not unexpectedly,
big tech players like Microsoft and
Amazon are now putting a lot of energy
into this area of edge computing, explor-
ing new network designs to optimise
data flow in and around cities and enter-
prise sites,” points out Roberts.
The introduction of 5G networks allows
enterprises to capitalise better on edge
computing, which moves compute and
analytics closer to the points where data
is generated and used, rather than send-
ing the data to and from servers in cloud
data centres.In smart manufacturing terms, this
enables AI solutions to analyse data
in real-time, at the point of production,
which streamlines the process, boosting
production and efficiency.
Carter says that 5G is much more effi-
cient at utilising available mobile network
capacity and spectrum, more connected
devices will be able to function simulta-
neously on the same network.
He explains, “5G massive MIMO (multiple-
input, multiple-output antenna systems),
for example, should play a crucial role
in unlocking an IoT-powered future42
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION - 5GFEBRUARY 2021