One concern that may come up is whether 5G is still important given how many of us are used to working from home. After all, the majority of people are likely using a broadband connection, such as a cable modem, to connect to the internet and all of their coworkers using their in-home Wi-Fi. Why would they require a unique kind of quick wireless connection?
There are a lot of reasons, though some won’t be important until we travel farther.
First, 5G is starting to become a more feasible alternative to cable as a source of high-speed internet connection, as I wrote a few weeks ago (see “Can 5G become your new broadband connection?”). You can receive a lightning-fast 1 Gbps connection inside your home via 5G thanks to a technology called Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), which is at the core of Verizon’s 5G Home service.
The service is only available in a few American cities, which is an issue. Detroit was added by Verizon last week, so availability is progressively getting better.
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AT&T first mentioned providing a 5G-based FWA service. By 2024, T-Mobile hopes to deploy a fixed wireless broadband service based on 5G that will reach more than half of all American households.
Why 5G might be important for telework
Given that 5G fixed wireless services can match the fastest download and upload speeds that cable has to offer at reasonably comparable pricing, 5G might significantly enhance the alternatives for working from home.
It has been widely discussed how 5G could be used to bring broadband internet access to remote locations and other regions without fast internet. That would be a significant improvement for the locals, and it might entice more people to settle there and work.
People who are thinking about making these kinds of migrations will need access to broadband connectivity, so 5G could expand the number of places where people can live and work.
Connectivity issues can arise even for people who live in urban regions, which should have greater broadband coverage. It’s not uncommon to experience problems with broadband quality or, more frequently, Wi-Fi congestion problems that drastically restrict the speed and dependability of internet connections. City dwellers frequently struggle to establish a strong internet connection in crowded areas that are overrun with Wi-Fi routers and hotspots.
In certain circumstances, using a fast 5G cellular network as your primary method of connection may make more sense. You can then share that connection over Wi-Fi by using the portable hotspot feature on your smartphone (or even by purchasing a specific 5G hotspot piece of hardware).
A cellular connection is typically more secure than Wi-Fi for people concerned about privacy and security, in part due to the prevalence of Wi-Fi hacking tools. Remember that cellular connections based on smartphones may cost more to use as your primary internet access method than other broadband options. That’s a trade-off you might have to think about.
Working Remotely While Still At Home
A 5G connection begins to have even greater value for the majority of workers if they start going back to work on a limited basis or simply venture outside to enjoy an outdoor cafe after being cooped up at home for months. Even on PCs and tablets, the actual benefit of having an always-on cellular connection is that you never have to be concerned.
You may complete all of your work from virtually anywhere with a 5G-connected PC, including standard email and chats, video calls, and other group projects. The name of the Wi-Fi network, obtaining the password, being concerned about others using the Wi-Fi for malicious purposes, etc. are all things you never have to worry about. Simply attach it, and it will function. Personally, I find it really difficult to go back after you’ve become used to that level of connectivity freedom.
5G’s Adaptability As a Backup
The fact that 5G provides a second means to access the internet is the final item to keep in mind about its potential benefits for work-from-home scenarios. Despite the fact that to some people it may seem like an utterly superfluous luxury, our entire business, personal, and even educational life have shifted online. Many of the changes we’ve seen are going to last for a very long time, despite the world’s efforts to resume some semblance of normalcy.