Introduction
The new standard of mobile telecommunications continues to spread throughout the world. The promises that 5G holds for humanity give businesses and individuals unique opportunities to expand their digital presence through the unprecedented connection quality. Such a drastic shift can boost other IT innovations and forever change how people access the Internet. However, adopting 5G requires overcoming new challenges linked to its structure, resource requirements, and barriers to adoption among the general population.
Therefore, an in-depth review of all factors related to 5G and its importance in business environments may shed light on critical points that can be used for the betterment of society. In this paper, the fifth-generation telecommunications standard will be analysed, and its application in the higher education sector will be discussed. Moreover, the value of 5G for ADIK University will be highlighted using Sviokla and Raypor’s virtual value chain analysis.
The Analysis of 5G
Characteristics
The distinct features of 5G make it stand out among the telecommunication standards of the past. Unlike other wireless networks that rely on towers with vast coverage, 5G focuses on transferring mobile traffic into a wired connection as soon as possible (Deloitte, 2017). This design choice changes the strategy for network expansion and makes 5G more accessible for end users. Despite covering approximately five times less space than common LTE cells, small cell towers serve as the foundation for 5G frequency since they catch 5G signals and rapidly transport them to a wired infrastructure (Negi, 2022). Such a sacrifice of the range is essential for high-frequency waves, which are the source of many benefits that 5G provides.
Due to this structure, 5G networks have an immense advantage over previous generations in terms of many aspects related to the quality of service. Thales (2022, p. 10) states that 5G “brings exponential improvements in speed, latency, and reach.” In addition to speed, such a close position to deep fibre guarantees that data is challenging to intercept and network channels can not be easily hijacked from a distance.
Among other notable characteristics, 5G enables providers to seamlessly switch their users and devices from previous telecom standards to new ones. 5G can be employed through a non-standalone phase that will not interrupt other networks and give providers time to expand their coverage through multiple cycles (Alfaqawi et al., 2022). This type of progression ensures that 5G will gradually expand throughout all regions.
Significance
The network structure outlined above provides numerous benefits to 5G networks. It is one of the few sustainable modes of data transfer in the world, with an exponentially increasing number of digital devices (Negi, 2022). User traffic increases rapidly, which slows down other networks, while 5G does not suffer from such an issue. At the same time, these characteristics of 5G require companies to adapt their physical locations to achieve the best possible connectivity for all their devices. Cell towers of various power can be strategically placed where the connection may lag.
The new uses of wireless networks will occur solely due to 5G. Severe limitations to the performance of 4G and Wi-Fi networks hinder the expansion of other IT innovations (Ghosh, Ratasuk, and Redana, 2022). With this newfound capacity for connection, industries such as healthcare, education, manufacturing, and many others will transform. The freedom to use time-sensitive communication promises fewer expenditures on safety measures against malicious activities, as wireless traffic is less noticeable and more concentrated (Ghosh, Ratasuk, and Redana, 2022). Aside from a positive impact on user experience, there are several technologies that 5G improves.
5G is especially significant for the Internet of Things (IoT) and businesses utilizing it. IoT frameworks produce a constant stream of traffic that requires a stable and fast connection that can not be satisfied by previous telecom standards. Thales (2022, p. 3) states that 5G promises to open the world to the possibility of connecting “millions of IoT devices with lightning fast speeds.” Smart homes, self-driving vehicles, hospital equipment with remote control, and many other products can gain much from 5G.
IoT is not the only cutting-edge technology field that benefits significantly from this standard. Cloud computing is one of the most predominant services that demands a high-speed connection to operate at the required processing power. However, cloud computing struggles to achieve its full potential in the modern digital environment due to the massive amount of data transferred through the same channels it uses (Alfaqawi et al., 2022). This issue causes congestion and high ping and significantly damages the opportunities for scalability of cloud computing. However, 5 G’s unique signal length prevents organizations from these drawbacks.
5G is bound to positively affect Edge, Fog, and Mist computing, although these distribution methods stemmed from the limitations of cloud services. For example, Edge gained popularity due to being less reliant on a high-speed broadband connection, thus possessing fewer issues while operating in a busy network (Alfaqawi et al., 2022). The transformation of networks to a new standard does not imply that these distribution methods become obsolete. Instead, they, too, benefit from 5 G’s attributes and provide an alternative structure to cloud computing. Thus, the significance of the 5G telecom standard is the primary reason why people consider the emerging digital environment to be the Industrial Revolution 4.0.
5G and the Higher Education Sector
Opportunities
There is much anticipation regarding the transformation people can achieve through 5G technologies. The situation is especially critical for the higher education sector, as organisations in this industry commonly operate in digital environments. Accelerating all processes within a learning environment can significantly improve the quality of education students receive at their facilities (Zang, Liu, and Yu, 2022). Modernisation of this sector is the key to progress for future generations, and any enhancements to the existing teaching strategies must be prioritised.
First and foremost, 5G can facilitate access to modern studying and teaching strategies with excellent efficiency. In the era when remote classes are standard, students and teachers often meet online for lectures and practice (Jagannathan, 2021). However, high latency, stability issues, and unsafe connections hinder such methods due to regular disruptions in the educational process. Another aspect of higher education is the use of modern technologies in learning. For example, augmented (AR) and virtual reality (VR) can give unique experiences to students, yet they rely on IoT devices that take up a significant portion of broadband, straining an institution’s network (Jagannathan, 2021).
5G enables organisations to use their funds to resolve this issue and gain a competitive advantage in their industry. End users of these processes will be able to perceive the benefits of 5G easily and assess the quality of services themselves. Businesses with 5G cells are bound to attract more students and professors to their facilities, as a stable connection is highly sought after for popular purposes in higher education.
There is a high demand for computational power in the discussed sector. For example, artificial intelligence (AI) now commonly serves as a source of analytical power for large quantities of data that would be difficult to analyse without it (Zang, Liu, and Yu, 2022). 5G can improve the integration of this technology by providing higher education organisations with the lowest latency possible during AI interactions. 5G opens up the possibility of creating innovative educational environments that directly integrate all vital resources and tools on sites (Zang, Liu, and Yu, 2022). Many state-of-the-art technologies rely on accessing online sources for updates, queries, datasets, and numerous other reasons. If these activities occur in a 5G network, end users will notice the benefits of this telecommunications standard.
Distributed computing methods are also commonly employed in this sector. Zang, Liu, and Yu (2022, p. 3) state that “cloud-based learning management systems” are growing in popularity, and similar solutions are already employed in many research facilities. 5G covers the primary downside of cloud computing: the time it takes between queries and responses. Thus, these services are essential in this sector and are in high demand, ensuring further growth in this market.
IoT devices that often provide data for research purposes tend to generate traffic continuously. Under older telecom types, bandwidth can be quickly taken up if the number of devices accumulates (Deloitte, 2017). However, a single 5G cell can incorporate a hundred times more connections without causing lag and stability issues. Since these devices commonly run on simplistic systems, they rely on external security measures, which either slow an entire framework down or present a high additional cost (Qiu et al., 2020). While 5G does require a considerable investment, it protects many users simultaneously and improves the network performance rather than slowing it down.
Business information solutions play a crucial role in higher education since such firms possess a vast amount of sensitive data. For example, datasets for research purposes can contain personal information that must be secured. Protecting it with the help of a 5G network can eliminate significant risks, such as remote access, data eavesdropping, denial-of-service attacks, and other detrimental acts (Qiu et al., 2020). 5G networks’ qualities effectively negate these risks through advanced protocols, distributed packet transfers, and short distances between interacting devices. Although the issue with physical access remains open, firms with private 5G cells can guarantee that no unauthorised personnel can get to their interface (Qiu et al., 2020). Companies can transform this elevated safety into a competitive advantage, alleviating the costs of 5G cell placement.
5G also promotes optimal resource allocation among higher education facilities. Clever cell tower placement, tower sharing, and governmental incentives are perfect opportunities for organisations that seek to boost their revenue streams (Grijpink et al., 2018). Instead of relying on LTE towers covering their locations, organisations in this sector can select coverage areas themselves and avoid high operating and maintenance costs. Additional savings come from indirect sources, such as fewer expenditures on data safety technologies, fewer stability issues, the possibility of on-site hardware maintenance, and other ways to optimise digital solutions.
Challenges
Despite the outlined benefits, businesses must adapt to this new technology, as its numerous transformations may lead to inefficient resource allocations. The primary challenge is the proper installation of 5G cells. Using low-power and high-power nodes in a single network is possible, although such a setup requires advanced intercell coordination and a complex digital architecture (Alfaqawi et al., 2022). Higher education organisations may have issues with 5G due to location specifics, such as campuses and facilities being significantly apart.
The resources required for each tower may be insurmountable for some companies. Deep fibre deployment is the primary objection against 5G expansion, as it puts a significant, although one-time, strain on a company’s budget (Deloitte, 2017). Moreover, this process must include a tower placement, which adds more expenditures that require careful long-term planning to avoid unsatisfactory investment returns. Cells also pose a challenge for firms, as local authorities may regulate their placement, discouraging many opportunities for 5G transformation (Deloitte, 2017). Overcoming said issues might appear too costly, yet the benefits of 5G are worth the effort.
Benefits of 5G for ADIK University
Virtual Value Chain Description
In a heavily data-driven environment, it is essential for companies to continuously strive for better hardware that will support their digital assets. ADIK University provides a solution for business information and cloud computing services in the higher education sector, which implies a significant dependence on network technologies used by the firm. The company must stand out among its competitors while capturing as much revenue as possible to achieve the maximum competitive advantage in this sphere. For such a task, 5G is the most suitable solution covering the significant points of ADIK’s market strategy.
Using the virtual value chain (VVC) analysis tool by John Sviokla and Jeffrey Rayport, it is possible to outline the enhancements for ADIK’s business model stemming from 5G. While this method parallels Porter’s model for capturing and delivering value to customers, it is more suitable for digital services (Forrest & Liu, 2022). Unlike companies that deal with physical products and services, ADIK has to offer its clients a value that is difficult to capture.
The first step of VVC is the inbound logistics, for which ADIK uses external software and hardware providers, such as oneCloud and Datacentre UK. 5G can increase the speed of interactions between the data servers, the firm’s customers, and ownCloud update services. It will be easy for ADIK to move its digital assets through such an environment.
The second stage of VVC will rely on 5G as well since ADIK’s digital assets will be both well-protected and more accessible from its internal network, giving the organisation more processing power. ADIK’s operations consist primarily of data manipulation since cloud computing involves constantly transferring information. 5G speeds this process up, giving ADIK an advantage in solution development and deployment. Output logistics in VVC are the calculations made on the firm’s side that customers request. 5G will ensure no packet loss due to wireless connection limitations.
The fourth step, which requires showing people the company’s value to potential customers, can be made by highlighting the benefits of 5G and the fact that the company relies on it in its activities. Real-time sharing of information, which takes less than 0.1 milliseconds, gives ADIK an immense competitive advantage since computing solutions rely primarily on response time as a deciding factor in the quality of user experience.
The last step of VVC is continuous service delivery, which requires maintenance and support of the created infrastructure. For such a task, 5G towers near the company’s assets provide an opportunity to make hasty repairs and upgrades. Finally, the company’s end users are provided with low-latency and high-stability access to their data through the 5G network, as the only boundary that may affect their connection is the customer side.
Analysis of Benefits Specific to Higher Education and ADIK’s Business Model
As shown above, ADIK University can improve the quality of its services through 5G. In addition to this factor, new horizons are opening for the firm in handling business information. Solutions requiring high-speed connections are in high demand since companies rebuild themselves around new computational powers that expand rapidly. It is common for organisations in the higher education sector to implement AI, distributed computing, AR/VR, and IoT in their activities, all of which can be elevated through the cutting-edge quality of the network provided by 5G. Cloud computing is especially crucial for ADIK, as it will improve its servers’ response time by up to 10 times with 5G.
Since the company uses the economies of scale approach, 5G naturally suits its operations. 5G gives ADIK access to resource preservation and gradual expansion through clever tower placement in locations where customers’ data is held. Moreover, ADIK can seek to cooperate with other network operators in its area and preserve up to 50% of expected expenditures on installing new 5G towers through sharing (Grijpink et al., 2018). Aside from potential cost optimisations, the company can expand its business via 5G. Cell towers of this standard have a limited radius, yet it is possible to deploy them directly in places where they are required rather than using a single high-power option.
Conclusion
This paper shows how the application of 5G telecommunication technologies transforms modern businesses across the globe. The benefits of this standard are apparent, as organisations and individuals alike can access the Internet with an astounding speed of connection, which is stable and secure as never before. Deep fibre cables that provide this immense improvement over the past generations of telecom may create additional resource strain, yet give access to technology unrivalled by other modes of connection.
5G opens new horizons for organisations in the higher education sector, as many research and teaching tasks can be performed with greater efficiency. ADIK University will also significantly improve from 5G, as cloud computing relies on low-latency, high-reliability networks. A significant margin can cut the speed of calculations, as data streams will be more accessible and require less travel before they reach cell towers, leading to their deep fibre infrastructure.
Reference List
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