The hype for 5G’s arrival is everywhere. Cell phone providers are already boasting how quickly they will have 5G capabilities, and tech blogs are making predictions for when the full rollout will be available. Outside of the tech world though, many people don’t yet have a good grasp on just how impactful 5G will be on their everyday lives — and facility managers might not yet understand how 5G will most certainly impact their facilities.

What is 5G?

Like other cellular networks, 5G — the “G” stands for “generation” — will build off the current long-term evolution (LTE) structure using radio waves combined with antennas. The high-frequency bands it requires will involve using a fixed wireless network that employs a higher density of smaller cells. These smaller cells provide significantly increased speeds that are about 100 times faster than current 4G technology.

This new era of technology is a direct result of the growing number of devices connected to the internet. Unlike its 4G predecessor, 5G focuses on mobile technology and connectivity. Because 5G networks will accept small, inexpensive, low-power devices, nearly anything will be able to be connected to the internet. All these extra devices will expand the internet of things (IoT) beyond what exists now. The type of data able to be transmitted will be nearly limitless.

One more key characteristic of 5G technology is its reduction in latency. Latency is the lag time between when data is sent and when it is received. Many experts predict that 5G latency will be reduced to less than 10 milliseconds. For reference, an eye blink is approximately 300 milliseconds. The speed 5G will provide is nearly unfathomable, and so are the possibilities it brings.

When will 5G roll out?

There’s no easy answer for when to expect 5G to become widespread. Some companies, like Apple and Samsung, have already announced phones with 5G capabilities. And 5G is currently available in a few specific test locations such as Houston, Sacramento, Indianapolis and Los Angeles.

Although the world is preparing for 5G, its infrastructure is not yet ready to accommodate its requirements. Towers and antennas will need to be installed closer together than their current locations to allow for the high-frequency bands. Even with the changes that need to happen, most reports predict that 5G will be widely available in 2020.

Once it’s available, the adoption of 5G may take some time, primarily because most 4G devices are not compatible with 5G networks. Although some may joke that technology today is advancing at a “use it and throw it away” pace, the reality is users aren’t likely to upgrade their devices immediately once 5G is introduced, which will slow down the rollout.

Fortunately, knowing what 5G is and what it will require will help facility managers prepare for its demand.

How will 5G impact facilities?

It can be difficult to say exactly what will happen in the future, especially as there will be technological advancements not yet imagined. But there is some indication of what’s to come within several key industries: education, healthcare, manufacturing and finance.

5G & education

Because of already stretched education budgets, it’s likely that 5G will have a slower implementation on some public educational campuses. Eventually, however, the increased demand on the network with more connected devices will necessitate its full adoption, and many experts predict complete implementation by 2025.

Education is one industry that will see an increased use of the IoT. In fact, many universities have already begun implementing IoT devices to reduce some of the administrative burden on teachers. Students could, for example, be automatically logged into their classroom curriculum and learn at their own pace, freeing up teachers to focus on individuals rather than a group.

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), which allow classroom experiences to become more interactive, are two more teaching techniques on the horizon. In 2018, Verizon issued a challenge for universities and nonprofit organizations to submit ideas on how to incorporate AR or VR into K-12 classrooms, offering funding and 5G access to the winners. 5G is a necessity for VR and AR to be fully implemented, as it would otherwise overload the network.

A primary concern for educational campuses is safety, and 5G developments will certainly help address that concern. One possible implementation is more widespread acceptance of radio frequency identification (RFID) cards for improved security. Increased connectivity also translates to more instantaneous updates of security breaches, such as improved device notifications and communication with first responders.

5G & health care

With the healthcare industry growing at such a rapid pace, it makes sense that 5G would be poised to help further that growth.

The demand for telemedicine is already on the rise, especially in rural areas with limited access to healthcare facilities. For telemedicine to continue to grow, it will require networks that can support real-time videos, and 5G will provide the mobile networks necessary to make that happen.

In addition to telemedicine, the healthcare industry is finding more uses for wearable devices that gather data and information for remote monitoring or even preventative care. The real-time monitoring needed for these devices will demand the increased connection speeds and decreased latency that 5G brings.

5G & manufacturing

Some may think that manufacturing would be one of the last industries to embrace new technology like 5G, but the opposite is true, due in part to its growing reliability on the IoT to keep their devices connected and help prevent downtime.

From procurement to distribution, manufacturers are connecting more sensors and devices through the IoT to provide them better insight into their supply chains. They rely on devices to help improve operational efficiency and enforce quality control. The more devices that are connected, the higher the bandwidth will need to be to keep manufacturing facilities online.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is another cutting-edge aspect in the manufacturing industry. This is an area predicted to see significant growth once 5G has been fully implemented so that the real-time information will allow AI devices to become more reliable and efficient.

5G & finance

Another industry that will be significantly impacted by 5G is the finance industry. One of the reasons the finance industry has been arguably slower than others to incorporate technology is because of the need for improved cybersecurity. 5G will provide the lightning-fast speeds needed for that security.

The onslaught of connected devices from 5G will more than likely make mobile the main channel for banking in the near future. Wearable devices will allow common banking transactions to be made on the go. Personalization from these devices could allow banks to provide not only better customer service but also better lending insights and risk assessments.

In fact, the data collected from customers will help banks protect their accounts as well as create more automated services. For example, an automated financial assistant could provide advice on wealth management or monitor budgets to remind customers when they are reaching limits.

How can FMs prepare?

The coming advancements with 5G can be exciting, but for a facility manager, they can also seem overwhelming. With 5G’s impact on so many industries, it’s important for every facility manager to understand how to best prepare for its arrival. They can start by assessing their current duct structure to determine how much space is available. As available space shrinks with every change or addition to their networks, facility managers need to start thinking about a plan for upgrades.

Existing conduits

Even with limited space for network expansions, there are still options for growth. The best way to upgrade a facility’s infrastructure when there is little room for expansion is by utilizing all the available space within the conduits. For existing conduits that already have one or two cables placed, installers can pull more cables within that same conduit by using a fabric innerduct. Serving as a divider between the cables and preventing cable-on-cable friction, a fabric innerduct is also a good option for data centers or other high-bandwidth areas.

New conduits

When laying new conduits, the most important aspect to consider is future needs. Although it may be difficult to fathom needing more bandwidth, facility managers should incorporate allowances for expansion by leaving physical space for any upgrades or changes that need to occur. Additionally, they should consider how to avoid or minimize disruptions during future upgrades.

In order to prepare for future situations where facility managers will need a modest level of flexibility, they should ask their engineers to account for additional open pathways by using segmented conduits during the construction phase. A segmented conduit has a fabric divider that allows for multiple pathways within one conduit and makes the best use of conduit space. This small consideration not only allows room for future expansions but also keeps civil disruption to a minimum. With a spare pathway already in place, facility managers may be able to avoid boring additional conduits in the future, helping keep the usual ebb and flow of their facility or campus undisturbed.

Facility managers don’t have access to a crystal ball that tells them what to expect and how it will impact their facilities. In the case of 5G, however, at least some of the coming changes are clear. Preparing and planning for 5G now will help facility managers avoid short-sighted solutions and enable them to approach upgrades with the long-term benefits for their facilities in mind.