Juniper Research predicts that 5G IoT (Internet of Things) connections will reach 116 million globally by 2026; rising from just 17 million in 2023. It predicts that the healthcare sector and smart city services will drive this 1,100% growth over the next three years, and account for over 60% of 5G IoT devices by 2026. The ultra-low latency and high bandwidth of 5G IoT technology will be the key factors in driving this proliferation of new connections.
The single biggest opportunity for 5G IoT
The report anticipates that 5G networks will experience significant growth in smart city services; owing to its cost-effectiveness in deployment and ability to carry significant amounts of data.
By 2026, there will be over 60 million 5G smart city connections globally, and the report urges city-planning authorities to leverage 5G connectivity as high-bandwidth gateways.
It found that the monitoring of transportation networks, including road and rail networks, will be key services that require 5G-enabled high-bandwidth cellular connectivity.
DX in healthcare drives 5G adoption
Investment from healthcare providers into 5G-based services will be driven by the need to modernise services, as the global COVID-19 pandemic exposed inefficiencies in healthcare provision. The report identified services including telemedicine, connected ambulances and emergency services, and real‑time remote monitoring as key services that will be immediately improved by the integration of 5G services.
Research co-author Olivia Williams commented: “5G will enable more efficient and dynamic healthcare provision that was not feasible with 4G or Wi-Fi. However, healthcare providers must first implement 5G in areas which provide a strong return on investment; most notably connected emergency services.”
5G: Where is the money
The Juniper Research paper, 5G: Where is the money? posits that 5G is progressively becoming the network of choice because of its performance and reliability. However, for network operators and CSPs (Communication Service Providers) to harness the potential it will require innovative business models and agile, automated infrastructure to monetise it effectively.
Demand for 5G services is key to the future growth of 5G adoption because it can be monetised. For example, Korea has built out 5G, enabling three-to-five times faster speeds than 4G because consumer demand is strong. Demand for 5G services is projected to be significant in the field of VR (Virtual Reality), AR (Augmented Reality), and UHD videos among others.
