Introduction
As of 2019, the communication standard we mainly use for smartphones is called 4G. Shortly, this standard will move to the next generation, called 5G.
5G
The advent of 5G is not just about upgrading mobile phone communication standards.
The impact of 5G is not limited to the information technology field, but it will become a basic technology that supports IoT, so efforts to realize it has begun in various countries around the world.
So how is 5G different from conventional standards such as 4G?
This time, we will introduce the outline of communication technology that realizes 5G and its impact on business.
What is 5G?
“G” in 4G and 5G is an abbreviation for “Generation” which means “generation”, and 5G is the word ” 5th generation mobile communication system ” when translated into Japanese.
5G
By the way, 1G was analog communication centered on voice calls.
2G is the first digital communication standard, and it has become possible to browse e-mails and the Internet, and the data capacity and communication speed have increased in 3G and 4G.
As a matter of course, the communication capacity will be further increased by evolving to 5G.
To give specific figures, the communication speed of 4G / LTE is expected to increase from 50 Mbps to 1 Gbps, while that of 5G is expected to increase from 10 Gbps to 20 Gbps.
As a result, if it took about 30 seconds to download a movie in a 4G environment, it is said that it will be completed in about 3 seconds in 5G.
What is the difference between conventional communication lines and 5G?
5G
The change from 4G to 5G is not just an increase in communication speed, but also a fundamental technological innovation including infrastructure.
First, when it comes to 5G, there is almost no delay.
There was a delay of about 10 milliseconds in 4G, but it is said that it will be about 1 millisecond in 5G.
By significantly eliminating the delay, it will be possible to realize systems that require real-time image processing, such as remote surgery using VR technology.
In addition to this, by fusing a baseball field or soccer stadium with VR technology, it is possible to realize a sports-watching system in a virtual studio that makes you feel as if you were there.
In addition, 5G is an important target not only for smartphones but also for communication with IoT devices.
In the 5G era, “things” that connect to the Internet, such as connected cars, smart homes, and smart cities, will become larger and the range of connections will expand dramatically.
Although it is still in the demonstration stage in Japan, if 5G is put into practical use, it will be possible to realize an environment where communication speed and processing speed are hardly felt, so telecommunications companies and equipment manufacturers are urgently developing services and products for commercialization. We are proceeding on the pitch.
5G business model. From B2X to B2B2X
In the 5G era, the shape of business has the potential to change.
Introducing possible business models.
B2X
B2X is the same as the business model used in the conventional 4G environment.
B stands for carrier and X stands for consumer or company.
In other words, it is a business model in which a telecommunications carrier receives compensation by providing communication services to end-users.
For example, NTT DoCoMo will provide a communication line with a mobile terminal.
Cheap carriers such as MVNOs have appeared, but only the types of carriers have changed and they are not out of the range of B2X.
However, even in the 5G era, the B2X business model itself will continue to exist.
B2B2X
B2B2X is the focus of attention in the 5G era.
It is a business model that includes not only the telecommunications carrier providing services to the company but also the approaching customers of the company that provided the service.
In B2B2X, carriers provide not only communication services but also + α information tailored to the company.
For example, if you are providing communication between taxis, you will be provided with traffic status information and potential customer information.
In B2B2X, companies in the middle can be legal entities in various industries.
Therefore, it is possible to approach various problem solving other than customers who want to use communication services.
Overview of communication technology that realizes 5G
The requirements for technology to realize 5G are “high speed / large capacity”, “multi-connection”, and “low latency / ultra-high reliability”.
5G
We will introduce the communication technology that realizes these technologies in detail.
Utilization of high-frequency band
The basic technology for achieving “high speed and large capacity” is the use of this high-frequency band.
To realize high-speed, large-capacity communication in 5G, we plan to use not only the frequency band below 3.6GHz used in 4G but also the 3.6-6GHz band and the 28GHz band.
The higher the frequency of radio waves, the stronger the signal can be sent in a specific direction.
5G makes it easier to fly far by using this characteristic to direct radio waves to users in a specific direction.
Furthermore, it is possible to track moving users using a technique called beamforming.
This makes it possible to quickly switch base stations while sending radio waves to a target moving at high speed, enabling high-speed, large-capacity communication without interruption.
Like a connected car, you will always be connected to the internet and will be able to communicate with the vehicle in real-time.
Super multi-element antenna technology
In addition, ultra-multi-element antenna technology that uses a method called MIMO (multiple-input and multiple-output) is required to exchange high-frequency, highly directional radio waves.
This is a technology that transmits signals from multiple antenna elements at the same frequency at the same time and realizes high-speed communication without increasing the frequency band used.
This technology has already been adopted in LTE / LTE-Advanced technology, but research and development to further increase the speed and capacity are underway toward 5G.
Network slicing
However, no matter how much the communication speed of radio waves improves, if the data communication itself is congested, the essential communication speed cannot be increased.
Especially in IoT, multiple connections are required and we are aiming for 100 times more simultaneous connections than the current one, so there is an increased risk of data delays and unreliability.
A technology called network slicing is introduced to solve this problem.
Currently, all network communication is exchanged via one route, but this is divided for each communication service to smooth the flow of data.
For example, current network technology is like a road that has only ordinary roads and is prone to traffic jams, and we will open highways and bypasses to avoid traffic jams.
This makes it possible for 5G to achieve “multi-connection”, “low latency, and ultra-high reliability.”
Edge computing
However, network slicing alone is not enough to achieve “multi-connection” and “low latency and ultra-high reliability”.
In 5G, it is necessary to perform high-load arithmetic processing such as AI and big data processing on the server-side via the network.
Therefore, with conventional cloud technology, communication delays occur during the processing of operations after sending data.
Edge computing technology is effective in such situations.
This is one of the network techniques for distributing servers near terminals, and by processing data near users and terminals, it eliminates the load on the host system and communication delay.
This makes it possible to perform communication and arithmetic processing without interruption even on mobile devices such as connected cars.
How will business change with the realization of 5G?
With the introduction of 5G as described above, Internet-related technologies will dramatically evolve, which will significantly change the business environment.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications is actively promoting the introduction of IoT by local public organizations, private companies, universities, private non-profit organizations (NPOs), etc. under the title of ” IoT Service Creation Support Project “.
For example, as a medical university has embarked on a “stroke AI preventive measure service business using wearable blood pressure measuring instruments and oral care IoT,” efforts are being made to create businesses in new areas that were not possible with conventional technology alone. I have been.
Most of these technologies are only in the stage of being tested.
Therefore, it is expected that large-scale software development demand will occur at the stage of commercial use in the future, but changes will occur not only in terms of quantity but also in terms of quality.
Unlike conventional system development, attempts in anticipation of the practical application of 5G require comprehensive technological development that involves new technologies such as AI and edge computing in a complex manner.
Software development incorporating new technologies is expected to repeat trial and error, and development methods and test methods may require different perspectives.
In addition, as the amount of data to be processed and related devices will increase dramatically, it is expected that there will be more issues to consider, such as strengthening information security.
5G Business Precautions
5G communication is expected to develop in various industries when used for business, but while it is convenient, there are some things to be aware of.
Let’s understand the disadvantages and utilize them.
There is a security risk
5G communication inherits 4G security policies and protocols.
With 4G communication, there was a risk of receiving incoming calls and getting location information, but with 5G there is the same risk.
In addition, various IoT devices are connected to the network to use 5G lines.
Therefore, not only routers and PCs, but also WEB cameras, printers, recorders, etc. may be targeted by cyber attacks, and there is concern about the expansion of risk.
There will be a cost
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications plans to demonstrate local 5G.
We have secured a budget of approximately 3.74 billion yen in the second year of Reiwa to solve regional issues.
With this budget, we plan to handle about 20 cases, and it will cost about 190 million yen per case.
Local 5G is not something like building a base station to cover a wide area, but it is supposed to be used in a specific place such as a building.
At present, it is thought that the introduction will be the same as the cost at the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications or about tens of millions of yen cheaper, but the cost will be even lower with the installation of 5G base stations in the future.
With the introduction of 5G as described above, Internet-related technologies will dramatically evolve, which will significantly change the business environment.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications is actively promoting the introduction of IoT by local public organizations, private companies, universities, private non-profit organizations (NPOs), etc. under the title of ” IoT Service Creation Support Project “.
For example, as a medical university has embarked on a “stroke AI preventive measure service business using wearable blood pressure measuring instruments and oral care IoT,” efforts are being made to create businesses in new areas that were not possible with conventional technology alone. I have been.
Most of these technologies are only in the stage of being tested.
Therefore, it is expected that large-scale software development demand will occur at the stage of commercial use in the future, but changes will occur not only in terms of quantity but also in terms of quality.
Unlike conventional system development, attempts in anticipation of the practical application of 5G require comprehensive technological development that involves new technologies such as AI and edge computing in a complex manner.
Software development incorporating new technologies is expected to repeat trial and error, and development methods and test methods may require different perspectives.
In addition, as the amount of data to be processed and related devices will increase dramatically, it is expected that there will be more issues to consider, such as strengthening information security.
5G Business Precautions
5G communication is expected to develop in various industries when used for business, but while it is convenient, there are some things to be aware of.
Let’s understand the disadvantages and utilize them.
There is a security risk
5G communication inherits 4G security policies and protocols.
With 4G communication, there was a risk of receiving incoming calls and getting location information, but with 5G there is the same risk.
In addition, various IoT devices are connected to the network to use 5G lines.
Therefore, not only routers and PCs, but also WEB cameras, printers, recorders, etc. may be targeted by cyber attacks, and there is concern about the expansion of risk.
There will be a cost
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications plans to demonstrate local 5G.
We have secured a budget of approximately 3.74 billion yen in the second year of Reiwa to solve regional issues.
With this budget, we plan to handle about 20 cases, and it will cost about 190 million yen per case.
Local 5G is not something like building a base station to cover a wide area, but it is supposed to be used in a specific place such as a building.
At present, it is thought that the introduction will be the same as the cost at the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications or about tens of millions of yen cheaper, but the cost will be even lower with the installation of 5G base stations in the future.
There is a place that does not correspond
A compatible terminal is required to use 5G communication.
Without a terminal, it cannot be used for business in the first place.
In addition, 5G compatible smartphones have been released since around 2019, but it will take some time before they reach the “popularization” stage.
Therefore, most environments are not currently compatible with 5G.
According to KDDI CORPORATION, the country has announced that it will increase the population coverage of 5G to 90% or more by the end of 2022, but it is expected that it will take several more years before it becomes an environment where it can be used for business.
The number of information increases
The amount of information flowing on the network increases due to the ” large capacity and high-speed communication ” that is a feature of 5G.
It is said that the traffic volume in 2015 is 6ZB and the traffic volume in 2020 is 44ZB (ZB = zettabyte, 1ZB is 1 billion times 1TB).
As the amount of information is expected to increase in the future, the amount of information that can be misused will also increase.
Therefore, it is easy to be exposed to the danger of information leakage.
Not only in the enterprise but also the possibility of information leakage from the device used by the end-user increases.
5G business utilization example
Based on the features, utilization methods, and precautions of 5G so far, what are the specific things that we are aiming to realize?
medical care
Online interviews are possible with 4G using the video call function, but with 5G, even more, advanced medical practices are possible.
Since high-resolution image data can be exchanged through large-capacity communication, surgery can be performed at remote locations.
Ultra-low latency communication also allows doctors to treat remotely while the ambulance is on the move.
In addition, NTT DoCoMo is developing a solution that allows doctors to interact with and exchange opinions with specialist doctors, rather than using it to communicate between doctors and patients during interviews.
Manufacturing industry
The features of 5G that can be utilized in the manufacturing industry are wide-area connection, multi-connection, and communication stability.
Since up to 1 million units can be connected simultaneously over a wide area of 1 km², it is easy to connect the equipment in the factory to the same network.
Although 4G is possible, wireless requires multiple relay points, and the wired connection in the factory is complicated.
In addition, 5G requires that the transmission connection rate of 99.999% of wired connection be satisfied, so connected devices can communicate stably.
Service industry
In businesses that provide maintenance services, smart glasses can be used to provide real-time advice by sharing the status of maintenance and inspection work with experts.
In addition, when repairing real estate, you can grasp the part that needs repair from the damage situation of the house obtained from the drone by communicating with high-resolution photos.
Construction industry
Remote control of construction machinery is possible.
It is partially operated in 4G, but it is not widely used due to the delay.
With 5G, which has almost no delay, you can reproduce the delicate movements of construction machinery, and you can work on-site images from a safe place.
Therefore, it helps to improve the safety of the construction industry. You can also create blueprints based on the measurement data of the drone.
Agriculture
In agriculture as well as construction machinery, it is possible to realize automation and remote control of agricultural machinery such as tractors.
This reduces the risk of agricultural workers suffering from heat stroke and other illnesses due to the environment.
In addition, according to the results report of the Japan Automobile Research Institute, there is a plan to develop an automated driving robot that collects environmental data and driving data with a built-in 4K camera.
If the data is analyzed using 5G, it can be used for efficient operation and shipment of agricultural products in line with market trends.
Furthermore, by connecting all drones and unmanned agricultural machinery to 5G, it enables highly productive management that can produce sufficient results with little effort.
In conclusion
The changes that improvements in communication technology have on society are significant, and especially in the case of 5G, there is an impact that will fundamentally change the infrastructure of society.
With the advent of 5G, new mechanisms and services that did not exist until now will be devised, and it is expected that the demand for software development will increase accordingly.
At the same time, the number of systems that require high safety, such as medical systems and connected cars, will increase, and it can be said that the importance of quality control will further increase.
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