Promising technologies like 5G have long been experimented with in a wide range of industries. From building 5G-enabled tyres to smart cities, many sectors have been leveraging its capabilities to become faster and better. However, data analytics could be the one sector where 5G can create the most impact.
We can expect to see smarter AI, self-driving cars, smart factories, and more with data analytics and 5G. Therefore, it becomes imperative that we start looking at the connection between these two.
Why Data Analytics Needs 5G
5G’s low latency and its high speed will immensely benefit data analytics. These features make it possible for analysts to collect, clean, and analyse large volumes of data quickly. This will spur new analytics technologies soon. For example, autonomous cars – earlier autonomous car production was limited and a pipedream because data analytics was restricted by the high latency offered by 2G, 3G, and even 4G. But now, 5G offers low latency, better information processing, and does it in real-time.
One of the most significant opportunities 5G offers analytics is real-time data exchange or insights. Real-time data exchange is a crucial aspect, especially when we talk about autonomous cars. Not only will 5G help analytics, but also the technologies which are derived/dependent on it will be much more effective.
How Is 5G Having An Impact?
With the world moving towards a technological revolution, change in the lives of common people is inevitable. The latest tech powered by data and ML builds on the previous technological revolution, so the more advanced the technology is going to get, the more data will be produced. 5G, as indicated above, can help data and machine learning applications, which are the driving force behind the coming wave of technological revolution, Industry 4.0.
Many applications like smart cars, automated factories, smart devices, and AR, among others, will play a pivotal role in Industry 4.0 and, with the help of 5G, will transform the way we interact with technology altogether.
The majority of the devices from Industry 4.0 need data analytics and a strong connection to work. These devices, while requiring a strong connection, also collect data in petabytes of information per minute. So, a platform where large amounts of data will be analysed quickly is needed. 5G fulfills the need for such platforms. It facilitates transmission between devices, sensors, and other smart parts with real-time feedback, which is invaluable when it comes to tech like self-driving cars.
Another prominent application of 5G is going to be network slicing. It allows telecommunication providers to run several virtual networks within one physical connection in addition to its low latency. 5G will enable providers to ‘slice’ the network; which means that different networks and virtual layers provided will add value to the business. Network slicing will make it possible to create new business models through data monetisation.
Outlook
It will still take years to make 5G fully functional as standards for the connection are not yet set, some areas of the network are still left to be experimented. For 5G’s adoption into their system, some industries will have a slow and steady approach, but some, like data analytics, will be quick to adopt it. Perhaps, the data analytics industry will be the sector where 5G’s potential will be used to its fullest since it already deals with the problem of handling petabytes of information that comes with the existing connectivity. But with 5G’s promise of real-time quick data analysis, the analytics and sophisticated technologies derived from it will have more scope to improve. This will transform the way we see the world as it exists.
