WHAT does 5G mean to the average user? Simply put, it’s a lot.

       A hundred times faster than 4G, this fifth generation of cellular networks can advance society, transform industries and dramatically enhance day-to-day experiences with its rapid connectivity speeds, ultra-low latency and greater bandwidth – creating a smarter, safer and a more sustainable future.

       “For a country like Malaysia, 5G technology is widely touted to enable the development of new business models and advanced applications. Thus, fostering business innovation and spurring economic growth,” said CommScope’s regional sales director, RUCKUS Networks, Asean, Kho Teck Meng.

       He noted that communities, businesses and all industries – healthcare and education in particular – can benefit from 5G-enabled transformative impacts.

       “Keeping in tune with 21st century learning, many schools are turning to eLearning – which involves online exams, usage of Chromebooks and even virtual reality (VR) – for a more interactive learning atmosphere.

       WHAT does 5G mean to the average user? Simply put, it’s a lot.

       “Hence, schools are already turning to Wi-Fi 6 to support huge increases in connected devices and streaming video with readily available, reliable and stable Wi-Fi.”

       5G, he added, can greatly improve the quality of education – opening doorways to a wealth of information, knowledge, educational resources and increasing opportunities for teaching and learning within and beyond the classroom.

       As for healthcare – a necessary component for the sustainable long-term development of economies and societies – Kho said significant advances in digital healthcare could already be seen over the last few years.

       “However, the healthcare industry which involves virtual and remote patient monitoring and care to wearable devices and distance healthcare education, among others, will be accelerated through the introduction of 5G.

       “This is particularly beneficial as healthcare via mobile devices will allow for those in remote areas to access life-saving assistance. Such scenarios would not have been possible without the existence of seamless high-bandwidth and low-latency network connectivity.”Noting that investing in next-generation wireless technology such as Wi-Fi 6 is critical for organisations to be able to support large-scale and high-speed connectivity to support new business needs, Kho said CommScope will be able to help in this aspect by simplifying life for IT through cloud, machine learning and AI – thus, enabling faster troubleshooting, proactively create, measure and address the evolving business needs of their users.

       “The combination of CommScope’s wired capabilities with RUCKUS’ wireless solutions can drive forward some of the government’s most notable trends, including uptake of digital tools to create a robust Digital Economy; integration of robotics, machine learning, AI, Internet-of-Things (IoT), blockchain, financial technology (fintech), data analytics and drone technology with the synergy of 5G infrastructure; spearheading digital transformation to focus on the long-term.”

       He added that the company’s industry-leading portfolio of wireless network infrastructure solutions brings the foundation of a network through its copper, fiber and hybrid cabling – which can deliver optimal bandwidth and lightning-fast data transfer speeds while enabling migration to faster, more complex applications.

       “CommScope’s RUCKUS, on the other hand, adds the wireless fabric, delivering ubiquitous connectivity with access points, switches, and cloud services. These combined capabilities now offer businesses the ability to connect anywhere, both inside and outside a facility.”

       He added that it also plays a crucial role in the entertainment sector which has seen a massive rise of streaming media and online gaming. Citing the 5G Economics of Entertainment Report – which was commissioned by Intel and carried out by Ovum – Kho said 5G will unlock the potential of augmented reality (AR) and VR which is estimated to create more than US$140bil (RM589.5bil) in cumulative revenues between 2021 and 2028.

       “Gaming will be at the forefront of 5G-led innovations. AR games will make up more than 90% of 5G AR revenues by 2028, nearly US$36bil (RM152bil) globally.”

       5G enables back-end processes to be streamlined and this will improve service in financial services to remote customers, said Kho, adding that this sector will be able to personalise products and services for a better customer experience overall through data analytics.

       “In manufacturing, 5G capabilities would increase production standards due to advanced speed and lower latency – enabling us to work towards the ultimate goal of smart factories with minimised hazards,” he said, pointing out that 5G can also optimise the agriculture sector’s processes through water management, crop monitoring, fertilisation and monitoring of livestock safety – allowing for better crop forecasting and automation.

       Noting that the pandemic has completely transformed the hospitality industry, Kho said the easing of travel restrictions will see a massive boost through the support of 5G integrated technology.

       “Speedy Internet connectivity is the foundation of a new form of post-pandemic hotel experiences that includes virtual concierges, touchless ordering and payments, and even mobile room functions to ensure better health and safety standards.

       “It allows visitors to enjoy a fully-immersive digital experience before visiting the site. Once checked in, tourists can take advantage of the many IoT accommodation features such as room temperature adjustment, entertainment options and easy communication with staff,” he said, adding that systems in the retail industry will be intrinsically improved with introduction of the 5G network.

       To further improve the nation’s connectivity infrastructure, Kho suggested to boost investments to ensure equal access to technology between the rural and urban areas.

       Learn how RUCKUS outperforms under real-world demands. For more information, visit bit.ly/ruckus-wifi.

       CommScope was a Terabyte Partner of the Smart Gov & Public Services Live Virtual Conference held in commemoration of Star Media Group’s 50th anniversary.

       To rewatch their session, visit bit.ly/smartgovcommscope.