A lot of insinuations have been made about the 5G technology and how it would affect our way of doing things in the near future. In this article I would explain the 5G technology and how it would influence IoT and the real estate sector in particular.

What is 5G

5G is the fifth generation of wireless communications technologies supporting cellular data networks. The technology requires the use of communications devices (mostly mobile phones) designed to support the technology. Compared to the 4G LTE, it will be able to embrace up to 100 times more connected devices per unit area. Not only will it allow extremely fast data speeds, such as to render 4G as sluggish. It simple terms, it means, one can download an HD film of 3hours in 10 seconds or less. It promises a more IoT friendly ecosystem, with vast improvements over the current capabilities of the 4G.

Internet of Things (IoT)

The Internet of things (IoT) is a system of interrelated computing devices, mechanical and digital machines provided with unique identifiers (UIDs) and the ability to transfer data over a network without requiring human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction.

The definition of the Internet of things has evolved due to the convergence of multiple technologies, real-time analytics, machine learning, commodity sensors, and embedded systems. Traditional fields of embedded systems, wireless sensor networks, control systems, automation (including home and building automation), and others all contribute to enabling the Internet of things. In the consumer market, IoT technology is most synonymous with products pertaining to the concept of the "smart home", covering devices and appliances (such as lighting fixtures, thermostats, home security systems and cameras, and other home appliances) that support one or more common ecosystems, and can be controlled via devices associated with that ecosystem, such as smartphones and smart speakers.

So what's the connection between 5G and internet of things?

The idea behind IoT is to have multiple connected devices gathering data in real time over a particular period. The 5G network will help establish the Internet of Things as an indispensable part of our world, by laying the foundation for unleashing its full potential. Experts speculate 20.4 billion connected devices in the world by the end of 2020, a number that will continue to rise. Current wireless infrastructure just does not have the capacity to accommodate so many devices and ensure exchange of information without minor lags.

5G will also enable wider applications in smart city initiatives from water and waste management, traffic monitoring to enhanced healthcare facilities. Smart Cities will enjoy the benefits of the new generation network as more and more sensors make their way into city infrastructure. Not only will 5G be capable of handling the massive data load, but it will also make the integration of various intelligent systems, constantly communicating with each other a reality, bringing the vision of a truly connected city closer. An example of a mini smart city is the TRINITY LUXURY APARTMENT that is being designed by 3ceesProjectsLimited a real estate investment advisory, property development and facility management company based in Lekki, Lagos state, Nigeria.

Conclusively, It’s a long way to when 5G becomes mainstream, but businesses need to start now with developing and reimagining services and products to leverage 5G’s superior capabilities. Here is a look at a few industries where 5G and IoT together can bring about disruptions: retail, logistics, healthcare, self driving cars and most importantly usher in the smart city concept.