Though it has only been about five years since 4G became commonplace in the United States, it’s hard to imagine a world in which mobile sites and applications take longer than a few seconds to load. Today’s 4G LTE networks underpin the majority of everyday life for city dwellers. From mobile banking to scrolling through news feeds on the morning train commute to navigating new neighborhoods using digital maps, urbanites have come to rely on these networks.
Enhanced connectivity is just the beginning. In the not too distant future, 5G networks will disrupt society and become one of the foundational components of smart city infrastructure.
AT&T is working diligently to make 5G a reality in the US. In 2018, AT&T introduced standards based mobile 5G to parts of 12 cities around the country, and is planning to expand into parts of another seven cities early next year.
“We’re at the dawn of something that will define the next decade and generation of connectivity,” said Andre Fuetsch, Chief Technology Officer of AT&T Communications, in a recent press release. “Future smart factories and retailers, self-driving cars, untethered virtual and augmented realities, and other yet-to-be-discovered experiences will grow up on tomorrow’s 5G networks. Much like 4G introduced the world to the gig economy, mobile 5G will jumpstart the next wave of unforeseen innovation.”
Here are a few ways in which 5G is projected to ultimately impact city dwellers’ lives for the better.
Reducing strain on urban environments
5G connectivity will be a necessity for urban environments of the future. The UN estimates that by the year 2050, 68% of the world’s population will live in urban areas. Smart city innovations such as autonomous transportation systems, sensor-laden streets and sidewalks, and mobility assistance platforms will be vital for keeping urban areas functional as a greater number of people call themselves urbanites.
Not only will 5G ultimately improve infrastructure technologies, but it also has the potential to boost economies. According to a 2018 report, the US’s status as a global leader in 4G accounted for an almost $100-billion increase in annual GDP in 2016, and wireless-related jobs grew 84 percent between 2011 and 2014.
Increased safety and responsiveness
Likewise, 5G will ultimately function as a highly efficient information conduit that can enhance emergency preparedness. This report outlines a number of ways in which 5G is positioned to improve police, fire, and EMS services.
There are proactive safety measures with which 5G may assist, too. For instance, smart sensors could detect when a pothole or piece of machinery needs repairing and deploy repair teams to fix the problem before it becomes dangerous.
Supporting renewable energy and the smart grid
Sensors that monitor and automatically adjust energy consumption could someday be placed on city street lights or building solar panels to help improve energy efficiency. Ultimately, such systems might help urban consumers and city administrators lower their carbon footprint.
The 5G timeline
There’s been a great deal of speculation about the global race to achieve mainstream 5G. Today, AT&T is on pace to turn that buzz into reality in the US. In fact, 5G is already being deployed with encouraging preliminary results in parts of some major US cities.
AT&T is committed to helping establish the framework for the connected American cities of the future. With the gears of connectivity already in motion, 2019 promises to be a year of continued growth and forward momentum for 5G.