CIOs and 5G Network Labyrinths: How to Make Knife-Edge Decisions
5G’s heterogeneous and distributed software-defined networks will bring a steep change in the pace of innovation as information technology and networking technologies intersect. The gamut of information technology resources—platforms, storage, databases, application components—will be available as widget-like virtualized network functions (VNFs) on multiple clouds, which can be assembled on-demand to create services for delivery at a moment’s notice.
CIOs should be concerned about the design of interfaces that help to combine these elements. The choice of the network attributes will be make-or-break decisions for organizations—it could clinch success or harm the stability, cost, and quality of services. Here is what CIOs should know to make an informed decision.
New Demands on Networks
The services are creating a demand for impromptu feeding on streams of data flowing from the Internet of Things and connected devices. They meet fleeting demands, such as a sales forecast in a busy season for supply chains to match demand and supply. The demands on throughput, bandwidth, reliability, and coverage are much greater for sci-fi-esque applications like collaborative robotics (cobots), telehealth, and X-reality computer vision technologies such as mixed, virtual, and augmented reality.
• Today’s cobots have computer vision to see performance lapses by viewing the parts, which creates very high throughput of data. The factories with cobots also use data from numerically controlled machines to analyze the cause of shortfalls in performance.
• Digital twins visually display, on X-reality devices like augmented reality glasses, the schematics and a flow diagram for quickly making decisions on remedial actions. As their field of view changes, the glasses interact frequently with the cloud and need low-latency communications.
The choice of network attributes will be make-or-break decisions for organizations—it could clinch success or harm the stability, cost, and quality of services.
Optimizing Traffic Flow on Networks
A spectrum of networks meets the demands of varying traffic attributes. NB-IoT are low-bandwidth local networks that are inexpensive for mass deployment of tracking and monitoring sensors and devices. By contrast, 5G NR is preferred for high throughput, bandwidth, and reliability but is expensive to deploy.
Platooning, a service unique to 5G networks, illustrates the nerve-wracking decisions CIOs must make when choosing network attributes in order to avoid failure or catastrophic consequences regarding stability, cost, and quality of services.
It involves convoys of trucks, traveling sequentially in proximity, to save energy when facing wind drag. The trucks can synchronize their movements when they simultaneously receive near instant communication about any changes in their speed of movement or risk of a cascading accident.
The network labyrinth, including older networks like 4G and land-based networks, is the conduit for the delivery of multiple applications. The demands of near instant communication in applications like platooning will conflict with the Gbps level throughput requirements of collaborative robotics. The countless sensing and monitoring applications will make do with inexpensive, low bandwidth networks.
5G will equip network operators with software-defined network (SDN) controls and artificial intelligence to synchronize and control the concurrent delivery of the diversity of applications on a single heterogeneous network. Since the demands on network services will oscillate in real-time, AI and SDN controls are needed for quick responses.
NB-IoT are low-bandwidth local networks that are inexpensive for mass deployment of tracking and monitoring sensors and devices. By contrast, 5G NR is preferred for high throughput, bandwidth, and reliability but is expensive to deploy.
Conclusion
While some technology will remain the same with 5G networks, changes are necessary to cater to the demands of segments with new applications. CIOs must be proactive in developing awareness around their organization’s and industry’s specific needs and assess their network design options accordingly.
Additionally, CIOs and organizational leaders should consider current and upcoming personnel needs inherent in accelerated business and technological change. Additional staff may be necessary to analyze data and deliver solutions to challenging financial matters, design innovative products and services, and hasten time to market in the fast-paced world of 5G and IoT.
Link Consulting Services’ experienced technology and telecommunications recruiters can help you find the talent you need as 5G and IoT change the technological and business landscapes. We place the following positions and more—contact us today to discuss your unique staffing needs.
About Link Consulting Services
Link Consulting Services, a staffing and recruitment consulting company specializing in technology and telecommunications, is among the select few to earn ClearlyRated’s coveted 2019 Best of Staffing® Client and Talent Awards. Since 2005, internal Consultants have placed more than 10,000 highly skilled technology and business leaders in Fortune 500 and industry-leading organizations around the world, leveraging Link Consulting Services’ proprietary Recruitment as a Service model and more than 50 years of combined management experience in the recruitment industry. CEO and Founder Natalia Sans serves on the Forbes Los Angeles Business Council. Learn more at www.link-cs.com.
