Page 13 - SAMENA Trends - January 2020

SAMENA TRENDS

ARTICLE

5G, IoT and Bahrain’s Sea of Opportunities

Not far from today, the citizen of the future possibilities that the Internet of Things The fact is, the
will wake up to their smart home assistant, bring within reach.
giving them weather and traffic updates convergeance of 5G and
for the day ahead while reading the latest We first have to grasp that 5G is so IoT will be central to life in
news aloud. Their car will start instantly much more than an increase of speed on every aspect, and through
as they approach, the destination to work smartphones. 2G was about calls and texts,
already preset, as the car automatically 3G was the introduction of mobile data, and cross collaboration, there
drives itself out of the garage. Out on the 4G brought the arrival of applications. 5G is a strong business case
road, hundreds of self driving cars join the is a combination of vastly increased speed,
commute, driving in perfect syncronisity, ultra reliable low latency and massive for all parties to prosper.
each car with a preset destination, each machine to machine communications. It’s
carefully monitored by a sophisticated a combination that creates fertile ground to a new platue of interconnectivity.
smart traffic management system. for new economic growth and diversity. It
Augmented reality glasses use informative makes IoT possible. Smart robotics will While the investment in 5G infrastructure
overlays to keep employees efficient and work collaboratively alongside human and IoT systems and machinery are a
train new staff in the workplace. In schools, personnel. Tomorrow’s smart factories significant consideration, it is a necessity
through Big Data, education becomes will streamline production capacity and for Bahrain’s prosperity that encourages
a personalized experience, modified to reduce errors significantly. Smart robots revisiting old business models and value-
address each student’s unique learning and drones will revolutionize warehousing chains to make it worth while for all parties
challenges. This is only a glimpse of what and automated deliveries. This is only the involved. Mobile network operators, in
we have to look forward to. tip of the iceberg as the internet comes particular, have the opportunity to evolve
to life in the physical world, materializing beyond their current revenue streams that
We’re in a time between two distinct in everyday consumer technology, are largely dependent on conventional data
epochs. The world is racing to cross machinery that serve industry, and smart connectivity, voice calls and broadband
over into the future through 5G, and the infrastructure that bring cities and nations services. Profitability in 5G and IoT means
that mobile network operators can offer
holistic solutions and partnerships with
businesses in every sector. They become
the conduit between a telehealth equipment
supplier and hospitals, banks and enabling
fintech services to customers, or smart
factory equipment and manufacturers.
The fact is, the convergeance of 5G and
IoT will be central to life in every aspect,
and through cross collaboration, there is
a strong business case for all parties to
prosper.
There’s a veritable ocean of use cases
being explored at the moment, which
impact sustainability, lifestyle and
productivity, to name only a few. We have
an opportunity to lead by exploring use
cases that are unique to Bahrain, and
launching services from Bahrain that can
serve customers beyond its borders, into

13 JANUARY 2020