Posted by Total Telecom Staff | Sep 6, 2022 | TECHNOLOGY, 5G, Industry 4.0, FFTX, People, AI, Digital Divide, Smart Places, Networks, Europe, News, Viewpoint

We all understand how important fixed and mobile broadband connectivity is, but are we fully realising the benefits for individuals, communities, businesses, and our planet? Faster broadband is just the start. Lower latency, high reliability and ubiquitous coverage enable so much more.

A crisis can often be a catalyst for innovation, and we seem to be surrounded by crises today – the top three being the cost of living, energy, and our environment and climate. Already, we see innovation being developed and deployed to deliver change which can impact each of these.  

Bringing satellite and 5G technology together can enable more complete coverage, as well as providing backup when things go wrong. The Satellites for Digitalisation of Railways (SODOR) project will provide low latency, high reliability connectivity for sensors, which will enable more efficient operation of trains, bringing costs down for individuals and businesses who travel regularly.  

Satellite communications can enable real time monitoring where this was not previously possible. For example, tracking the growth of Seagrass , which can consume carbon up to 35 times faster than rainforests, as well as increasing biodiversity and helping the food chain.    

Smart Meters have given the opportunity to monitor energy usage. We are now seeing the start of an extended smart grid, where Electric Vehicles form part of the solution in storing energy when production is cheaper (sun shining on Solar arrays, wind turning offshore wind farms). These all rely on reliable communications to provide consumers with choices on how to shift their energy usage.   

Inside buildings, coverage can sometimes be challenging. The recent techUK user guide has been developed to highlight the opportunities provided by Private Networks to help provide dense indoor coverage (for example in a factory or university campus) and enable low latency and high bandwidth applications outdoors (for example in ports and logistics facilities, water treatment plants etc).  The guide identifies the following opportunities through digital transformation:  

So, what are you waiting for? The opportunities for transformation are all around us, and communication is no longer a barrier to what can be achieved. Let’s use our imagination to accelerate connectivity and drive change for good.

Want to find out more about CGI and how telco networks are evolving in 2022? Join them in discussion at this year’s live Connected Britain conference 

Also in the news: UK telcos to face stricter cybersecurity obligations under new govt rules Jio prepares to plough $25bn into 5G VMO2 activates first open RAN sites in live network

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