What is 5G?

Some of us can remember the primitive capabilities of 1G, the brick-sized mobile phones and brief conversations between a select group of professionals. 2G expanded the horizons of mobile technology and then 3G put phones in our pockets, gave us SMS and made the internet mobile. 4G ushered in smartphones, app stores and YouTube. So what are we expecting from 5G?

The 5th generation of mobile networks will be 100 times faster than 4G, with vastly improved connectivity speeds, ultra-low latency and greater bandwidth. 5G technology is more than a step forward, it is practically a revolution. Services seen until now as the stuff of science fiction will become realities: e-health, advanced mobile cloud gaming, connected vehicles and traffic systems. It could even replace conventional wi-fi. With 5G, we can look forward to a smarter, safer, more sustainable future in which industry, commerce and public services are transformed beyond recognition.

5G technology uses the same radio frequencies as smartphones and wi-fi but its capabilities extend beyond downloads and streaming to enable infinite connections between things - appliances, buildings, databases, computers, factories and of course, people. It will increase productivity and bring a vast range of new, innovative services and products to market. Public services such as healthcare and law enforcement will be transformed. Its impact will potentially be as big as the invention of the steam engine and the discovery of electricity. It will be a general-purpose technology underpinning not just mobile broadband and the Internet of Things (IoT) but every aspect of commercial and social life.

The Market for 5G Jobs

The largest and most immediate effect will be the increased demand for telecommunications talent. The roll-out of 5G will be steered by the telecoms industry and every telco will have a contribution to make. The industry is united in its commitment to 5G but within that unity, there will always be competition because these are not public bodies - they are driven by commercial imperatives which means there will be intense competition between companies to hire the best telecommunications talent available.

In order to integrate 5G with the world of enterprise, a broader range of abilities will be required than currently serves the traditional B2C sector. 5G telecoms engineers will have to be skilled in disciplines such as AI, edge and IoT, augmented and virtual reality, cloud computing, cyber security and robotics. They will also need strategic skills in media, digital transformation, end-to-end services and project management. These will be both demanding and rewarding times for a new generation of 5G-ready telecoms engineers.

The new opportunities being created by 5G technology will intensify the competitiveness of the business environment across all major industries as well as in many niche markets. Engineers with the right qualifications will be among the most sought-after personnel. Billions of dollars are being invested every year in the 5G value chain and research suggests that by 2035, 5G will be responsible for $12.3 trillion of global economic output [1].

This translates into the real possibility of seeing 22 million 5G-related jobs in the same timeframe. Furthermore, the kind of jobs will diversify. The second wave of 5G development generated cognitive tech jobs that were filled by graduates. The third wave will demand mixed cognitive/physical roles, driving an increase in job opportunities in scores of sectors throughout the economy. There has never been a better time to plan a career in 5G technology.

Regal Cloud Can Help

If you are committed to a career in 5G and are embarking on the training needed to develop these new skills, you'll certainly be in demand. However, to find the very best roles in such a competitive market, there's no substitute for working with an experienced talent partner like Regal Cloud. We can analyse your skill set, find you the most valuable and rewarding roles with leading telcos and prepare you to give the best possible account of yourself at interview. While you learn and develop, we'll design your very own pathway to the future.

Find out what Regal Cloud can do for you. Please contact us today

Call: 0208 004 9877

Email: enquiries@regal-cloud.com

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