5G Knowledge

What is 5G?

5G is the term used to refer to the emerging generation of mobile technology.

Previous generations of mobile communication have brought immense changes to society with video phone calls, High Definition (HD) streaming and faster broadband connectivity including 4G and Wi-Fi.

5G brings new levels of capability to this existing technology with higher speed of data, lower latency, higher energy efficiency and improved performance.

Not just a 4G upgrade

5G is much more than an upgrade of previous technology. It is a radical step-change and has the potential to deliver social, economic and environmental benefits to the whole country. The technology will provide opportunities to boost productivity and the economy, and enable more innovative uses of technology in both the private and public sectors, such as within healthcare.

With proper levels of investment, it will help to define how Scotland’s citizens tackle the future together as they build a net-zero carbon, inclusive society.

Rollout in Scotland

The UK’s commercial telecommunications operators are already on the 5G journey, investing large amounts in the rollout of 5G technology but there remain massive opportunities for other sectors to participate in this change. There is real opportunity for the setup of private 5G networks, in communities, in industry and indeed in partnership with large telecommunications operators.

Collaboration between commercial operators, innovative technology companies and the public sector, including the Scottish Government and local councils, is more critical with 5G applications than ever before, so we can identify and develop use cases, explore business models and grow the network. This will ensure that all communities and stakeholders reap the benefits.

The Internet of Things (IoT), aligned with new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR), is part of Scotland’s future where billions of devices will be connected collecting, transferring, analysing and actioning data. 5G will become the network capable of handling and exchanging this immense volume of data.

This has been made possible by an explosion of distributed computing power through integrated Cloud-based services with interconnected data centres. The arrival of quantum computing and edge systems takes this to a new level and means that data can be processed closer and faster to the point of delivery, resulting in ultra-low levels of latency. Latency is the amount of time between a command and its corresponding action; 5G will make this delay imperceptible.

New applications

5G will allow the emergence of new applications, such as connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) or data-enriched local healthcare diagnosis, which will require responsive and extremely reliable communications systems.

On an individual level, it will allow ultra-smart mobile devices to move seamlessly through different modes of wireless connectivity as citizens journey from their homes, travel to their places of work or move around to enjoy their leisure time.

Article published June 2020

How is 5G different?

The first generation telephone (1G) was a fixed line with copper-wire connection through a local telephone exchange. Each subsequent generation of telephony has delivered improvements, bringing us today’s high-speed data of voice, video-streaming and text over a range of mobile devices.

5G is different because it dramatically increases the speed in transfer data, for live-streaming or the integration of complex systems across the cloud. This reduction in latency (the amount of time between a command and its corresponding action) means near speed-of-light transmission. 5G enables rapid exchanges of information between computer-based systems, minimising human intervention and input.

According to Ofcom, 5G will be able to offer peak speeds of 10-20 gigabits per second and the ability to connect 1 million devices per square kilometre. This is up to 20 times faster than 4G performance.

Network slicing

Another critical difference offered by 5G is that it is capable of ‘network slicing’, which will allow multiple networks to be created on common shared physical infrastructure. For example, a connected and autonomous vehicle (CAV) needs split-second, high-speed connectivity to prevent collisions with other vehicles, while streaming services enjoyed by passengers require a large throughput of data but can tolerate a slight time delay.

Both would function at an optimal level over the common 5G physical network using ‘network slicing’ to maximise the network’s capabilities.

The benefits

Experts say an increase in the magnitude of speed can have a substantial impact on Gross Domestic Product (GDP).(1) Such enhanced connectivity will allow Scotland to develop in the spheres of transport, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and remoting monitoring, which will help Scotland’s remote and rural communities.

In essence, 5G is a technology that will allow us to be better informed, more able to respond and adapt to change, and bring new levels of operation and intelligence to automated systems. It has the ability to narrow the digital divide between rich and poor citizens and help us all rethink how we deliver services, how we live and how we work.

• Rohman & Bohlin (2012). ‘Does broadband speed really matter for driving economic growth? Investigating OECD countries.’ The magnitude of this relationship between speed and GDP corroborates form this study which also estimated that a 10% increase in speeds could increase GDP by 0.03%.

Article published June 2020

Benefits of 5G?

According to a recent report, 5G has the potential to add £17 billion to Scotland’s GDP by 2035, create 160,000 new jobs and increase productivity by £1,600 per worker. The same report, by Deloitte, also showed that with significant investment in 5G, it is predicted that over 3,100 new businesses will be created, resulting in £3.3 billion additional growth in exports.

The rollout of 5G promises a formidable range of current and future initiatives which would benefit all parts of society.

For business and not-for profit

The universal rollout of 5G will bring a myriad of applications to almost every kind of business and institutions, including those in the not-for-profit sector such as universities and charities. From smart cities with integrated transport links and smart cars, to tele-education in the Highlands and Islands, there are endless possibilities.

• In factories, remote control of assembly lines and bespoke engineering processes will enhance the capabilities of just-in-time delivery and the monitoring of stock.
• Our logistics industry operating through harbours, ports, airports and along smart motorways will be transformed by automated transport and autonomous vehicles for loading, haulage and delivery.
• Agriculture and aquaculture will be boosted by 5G connectivity. New processes driven by data and connectivity will drive efficiency, contributing to the long-term sustainability of Scotland’s rural economy – from the remote monitoring of the health of salmon on fish farms, to autonomous tractors ploughing tracts of land, through to soil analysis using drones and livestock monitoring through ‘connected cows’.
• For Scotland’s critical visitor and tourism industry, new apps will provide immersive and educational content showcasing Scotland’s landmarks, hotels and attractions for users to view in any location.

For the public sector, including local authorities

• The delivery of improvements in multiple services for citizens will help create a more inclusive society. There will be increased efficiencies through the automation of manual tasks, the opportunity of increasing flexible working and new digital processes.
• 5G could support a future vision of ‘mobility as a service’, where a user can plan, book and pay for travel which will optimise their route seamlessly across transport modes.
• In smarter cities and towns, 5G will unlock new opportunities for local authorities and other public bodies to deploy smart public infrastructure, with sensors installed in street furniture such as signage, street lamps, waste bins, traffic lights and parking meters to collect and send data and allow for intelligent management of public services. This will increase public safety and lead to better crime detection; it will also lower costs as street-lights auto-dim and buildings are heated and cooled more efficiently.
• 5G benefits will mean less traffic congestion, instant warning systems to predict potential collisions, with better public transport routing and real-time information all leading to lower levels of environmental pollution.

For NHS Scotland

5G has the potential to dramatically improve efficiency in our health and social care system.

• It will improve patient engagement, deliver transformational preventative healthcare, and allow real-time monitoring and diagnosis of those with chronic conditions – helping them remain in their homes and communities, and visit hospital only when necessary.
• Personalised interventions and wellbeing will be enhanced by the application of connected wearables devices gathering vital information including heart rate, temperature, respiratory rate and brain activity. This will offer patients the capability to manage conditions on their own.

For Scotland’s civic society and communities

Wherever people choose to live in Scotland, they will have the same access to digital integrated information. It will help more Scots participate in the decision-making which impacts on our lives.

The Scottish Government, in conjunction with the Scottish Futures Trust, has agreed to help support collaborative projects to increase the opportunity for 5G in the remote and rural parts of Scotland, often where the commercial operators see a less viable market for investment.

For essential utilities, such as heating, lighting and water supplies, smart energy grids will not only ensure everyone gets the energy they need, they will support Scotland’s zero-carbon objectives. Digital integrated information and processes will help ensure a fairer, more inclusive democracy.

For individuals

5G will have a significant impact on our lives in terms of work, education, healthcare and leisure time, and it will better support people with special and additional social needs. This will come not just from the ability to download or stream content at a faster speed – 5G will bring many more options, allowing people in Scotland to choose how they live, work and learn regardless of device and location.

Article published June 2020

Investment into 5G infrastructure?

The rollout of 5G will create a need for more physical infrastructure. This means more fibre-optic cable in the ground, or ‘backhaul‘, and more 4G masts and a higher density of small cells to create the base layer of wireless infrastructure that 5G networks will need in order to function across Scotland. The Scottish Government has supported this by making substantial investment in the digital infrastructure across Scotland.

Fibre

The Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB) Programme has given more than 950,000 homes and businesses across Scotland access to fibre broadband. As a result, over 95% of premises in Scotland can now benefit from faster speeds, supporting businesses, healthcare and learning, whilst also connecting families, friends and communities.

The DSSB Programme has now evolved, with the Reaching 100 (R100) Programme now building upon its success. The R100 programme is a commitment to provide access to superfast broadband of 30 Megabits per second (Mbps) to every home and business in Scotland. The 100% target will be met as a result of three key activities – namely, the R100 contracts, a superfast broadband voucher scheme and commercial coverage.

Ultimately, support will be provided to ensure that everyone can access a broadband service that can support superfast speeds by the end of 2021.

Mobile

The S4GI Programme is backed by £15 million of Scottish Government funding and £10 million from the European Regional Development Fund. It will be delivered by WHP Telecoms and managed by the Scottish Futures Trust.

The aim of the programme is to implement 4G infrastructure in around 40 sites identified as 4G not spots in Scotland. In February 2020, the first 4G mast was delivered – residents in New Luce, Wigtownshire, now have access to 4G, 3G and 2G services from Vodafone. Check out progress here.

Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Digital connectivity and communications has been pivotal in recent months – supporting our health and emergency services, enabling many to work from home, and assisting people in connecting and communicating with friends and family.

Scottish Government recently released a statement for telecommunications operators regarding the build and maintenance of networks, in relation to Coronavirus.

To summarise, this statement confirmed telecoms as being a part of critical national infrastructure (CNI), and acknowledged telecoms staff, who have been undertaking critical maintenance and repairs throughout this challenging period, as being key workers.

Will 5G affect our environment?

As a result of this shorter range, the rollout of 5G will create a need for more physical infrastructure. This means more fibre-optic cable in the ground, or ‘backhaul’, which will not be noticed by the public, and a higher density of small cells and more 4G masts to create the base layer of wireless infrastructure that 5G networks will need in order to function across Scotland.

The network will comprise a ‘top layer’ of larger cell sites known as macros. Existing 4G sites will be repurposed and upgraded to deliver 5G services. It is unlikely that large numbers of new urban macro sites will be needed, although their height may need to be increased to get over ‘clutter’ such as buildings, trees, and high land.

In rural areas, there will be more deployment of backhaul through the Scottish Government R100 project along with more 4G masts under the Scottish Government S4GI project and the new joint government and industry initiative, Shared Rural Network.

Existing and new infrastructure

4G masts that are currently deployed will be capable of being augmented as 5G rolls out. This will create a macro layer that will vastly improve connectivity across Scotland, particularly in areas with no existing coverage.

The new element for 5G infrastructure will be small cells located at close intervals in large numbers. This ‘densification layer’ will complete the network architecture, operating below the macro site ‘top layer’. Small cells will bring depth, power and capacity of 5G networks. They are low-power cell site nodes using small, discreet antennas serving fewer users at high access speeds over a smaller geographic area.

Small cells can be mounted on existing buildings and street furniture such as bus stops, lampposts and billboards. Virtually invisible to the untrained eye, they blend seamlessly into the urban landscape.

Towards net zero

Enhanced connectivity can support Scotland’s objective to build a net-zero carbon nation. Innovations in efficient energy use will mean lower emissions. More efficient and automated processes in manufacturing will reduce energy uses and resources, while smarter energy grids will be to integrate renewables and allow new greener technologies such as electric vehicles.

Article published June 2020