Ever since 5G was first introduced in 2019, the proliferation of this technology speaks for itself. At the end of 2024, some two billion people worldwide rely on 5G connections for their cellular network technology. That number is expected to nearly quadruple to 7.7 billion by 2028.

By definition, “5G” refers to the fifth generation of mobile network technology. Following pioneering work by IEEE to standardize this technology via the IEEE 802 Series, 5G is based on a set of standards promulgated by many different telecommunications companies and represents an advancement from the previous fourth-generation (“4G”) technology, which was introduced in the late 2000s-early 2010s. Building upon the ease with which 4G enabled streaming and browsing, 5G technology is 100 times faster, offers less delay, is more reliable, and can support millions of devices at once. For users, this equates to such benefits as near instantaneous movie downloads, more uniform augmented reality, and the real-time IoT connections required to support smart homes, self-driving cars, and smart city infrastructure – all developments that weren’t possible with 4G technology.

Impact of 5G Technology

The introduction of 5G technology has had a tremendous impact on many industries.

In the healthcare field, for example, 5G has increased access to telemedicine, enhanced the effectiveness and precision of remote surgery, and driven the growth of wearable health devices that monitor patients’ vital signs and share real-time data with physicians, enabling faster diagnosis and treatment.

In the emerging market for autonomous vehicles, 5G connectivity allows self-driving cars to make quicker decisions, avoid accidents, and optimize traffic flow, while 5G’s ability to support real-time traffic monitoring and electricity and water system management creates a platform for efficient smart city operations. And in the world of entertainment, users can live-stream events quicker and have a more interactive experience than ever, while gamers can access high quality games from the cloud for the first time and enjoy new gaming experiences anywhere, anytime without the need for complex hardware.

Globally, the U.S. has taken a leadership role in deploying fifth-generation networks by major wireless carriers to the point where over 75% of American subscribers can now access 5G. Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal in 2021, the federal government also pledged to invest an additional $65 billion to improve broadband and 5G service in rural communities.

In Europe, over 90% of British premises currently have access to 5G coverage,

while Germany, which possesses one of the most developed 5G networks on that continent, achieved coverage of 92% by mid-2024 and continues to expand access. Asia, China and South Korea are among the countries that have most aggressively integrated 5G heavily into their manufacturing operations and society, and access to 5G continues to grow throughout the Middle East, Africa, and Latin American region.

What Challenges Are Associated with 5G Technology?

While 5G continues to deliver unprecedented benefits and expand in use, the technology has also experienced its share of challenges. Among them, the costs to build 5G networks are extensive and regulatory differences between the U.S. and European Union have impaired their ability to fully collaborate on 5G deployment. In addition, the growing number of connected devices associated with the rise of 5G networks has introduced security issues and increased the risk of cyberattacks.

Despite these hurdles, however, the industry continues to move forward at a rapid pace as it perfects the current generation of technology and envisions the next one.

The upcoming emergence of “6G” connectivity promises a new paradigm in cellular technology, running an estimated 9,000 times faster than 5G connections and enabling users to, for example, download more than 20 movies per second. While experts note that 6G mobile networks remain at least five years away, the global telecommunications industry has been hard at work laying the foundations for this platform upgrade by entering what’s known as a “pre-standardization” phase to achieve consensus on preliminary 6G standards.

IEEE Helps You Stay One Step Ahead of 5G Developments

Designed to help technical professionals and industry leaders deliver on the 5G vision and meet consumer demand for higher communication speeds, these targeted course programs help you stay on top of the fast-paced field of 5G.

5G networks have accelerated Internet of Things (IoT) innovation and connectivity around the world. What will 6G bring?

5G brought connected device, higher data transmission speeds, lower latency, and increased connectivity to a wide range of IoT devices. These developments led to advancements in various sectors such as healthcare, transportation, manufacturing, and entertainment. A few of the advancements made possible by 5G include remote surgery, real-time industrial monitoring, and immersive virtual reality experiences.

How Is 5G Evolving?

Five years later, enhancements to 5G are being rolled out. Called 5G Advanced, these planned technological and network upgrades expand on the existing capabilities of 5G. One key component of 5G Advanced is the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) solutions to introduce more intelligent network management capabilities.

These enhancements to 5G are laying the groundwork for 6G, which is slated to be commercially available in 2030.

Differences Between 5G and 6G

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, notable differentiators of 6G from 5G include enhanced scalability, greater use of the radio spectrum, and dynamic access to different connection types. This means connections will be more reliable. Fewer drops in connection is critical to support advanced technologies like drones and robots. This dynamic access will enable connected devices to use multiple connections concurrently (such as Wi-Fi and cellular) to stay connected even if one source is interrupted.

The addition of AI and ML to the 6G network is intended to allow smarter devices to learn more like humans do. On a microscale, these applications can be used in autonomous vehicle technology. Potential use cases include improving traffic flow and allowing for autonomous taxi/bus services. On a macroscale, AI and ML will improve efficiencies across a wide range of areas, such as manufacturing, logistics, and analytical industries, thanks to the ability to detect trends and paths unseen by humans.

For local, state, and federal governments, services can be metered and controlled to match demand more precisely at any given moment, increasing efficiency, improving availability, and possibly slowing the effects of global warming. Additionally, these algorithms could aid in predictive modeling for services (for example impacting wait times, trash collection, bus usage) and weather events (such as tornados, floods, fires, and more).

As 5G network capabilities expand globally and pave the way for 6G, the world will need more engineers trained on telecommunications system deployment and management.

Leverage 5G Networks to Transform the World

IEEE is proud to launch its newest training program, 5G/6G Essential Protocols and Procedures Training and Innovation Testbed, in partnership with Wray Castle. This specialized training program provides a deep dive into essential 5G protocols, with a specific focus on the 5G Network Function (NF) Framework, registration processes, and Packet Data Unit (PDU) session establishment. The program also features access to the 5G/6G Innovation Testbed, a cloud-based, private, secure, end-to-end 5G network testing platform. It provides hands-on experience with critical aspects of the 5G system and helps reinforce the theoretical knowledge delivered in the course.

Key Features and Benefits:

  • On-Demand, Self-Paced Learning:
    The course offers 11 hours of on-demand, self paces learning, allowing professionals to study at their convenience.
  • Illustrated Digital Course Books:
    These feature leading-edge knowledge from subject matter experts..
  • Instructional Videos:
    Dive deeper into topics taught in the course.
  • Three-Month Access to the IEEE 5G/6G Innovation Testbed:
    This secure, cloud-based platform provides hands-on experience with critical aspects of the 5G system.
  • Guided Exercises:
    Signaling scenarios make learning and applying new concepts straightforward.
  • Wireshark (pcap) Output Files:
    Provide deep system insights.
  • Virtual Training Expert:
    Available as needed to assist learners.

This program is specifically designed for system engineers, integrators, engineers working with operation, optimization, and troubleshooting, technical professionals responsible for 5G system signaling, public mobile network operators, private network operators, network equipment vendors, test equipment vendors, handset manufacturers, regulators, and anyone who needs to explore and understand the 5G system signaling.

Enroll to earn credentials! After successful completion of the program, learners earn an IEEE Certificate bearing eleven Professional Development Hours (PDHs). You can share this proof of completion on your resume and professional networking sites such as LinkedIn.

Make sure your mobile network knowledge keeps pace with the ongoing evolution of wireless networks. Learn more and request a demo today!

iot-cyber-threats

Could your organization be the next victim of a cyber attack? Few other technological advancements have been adopted by so many people in such a short period of time as the Internet of Things (IoT). Originally used by governments as a means of sharing information, IoT was first rolled out for mainstream commercial and consumer use in the early-to-mid 1990s. Just three decades later, it’s currently amassed 5.19 billion users globally— nearly two-thirds of the world’s population.

Defined as a global computer network enabling access to and communication with the world’s wealth of information, people, and devices, data industry expert Sean Mallon recently referred to IoT as “the most important development of the 21st century.”

The Dark Underbelly of IoT

While the Internet of Things has clearly transformed global communications, improved the speed and efficiency of information exchange for consumers and businesses alike, and impacted the fundamental way in which modern society interacts and operates, it has a dark side as well. This primarily takes the form of bad actors who capitalize on opportunities to use the technology for nefarious purposes.

Take, for example, the use of botnets. Hackers infect these networks of private computers with malicious software. They then control the botnets remotely, directing each connected device to perform tasks without the network owners’ knowledge.

Within unsecured computers, bad actors can use botnets to deploy malware, steal personal information, and attack websites. For example, internet giants Cloudflare, Google, and Amazon Web Services narrowly avoided a disastrous attack in October 2023 when a botnet involving 20,000 computers attempted a record-large and unprecedented distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack on those three organizations’ websites and services.

Bad actors also use botnets as a key means of spreading misinformation. A real-life example of botnets proliferating in daily life and impacting a massive group of people was witnessed during the 2016 U.S. presidential election, when hackers used Twitter accounts to share inaccurate information that was made to appear factual and trustworthy in order to influence public opinion.

Malware– an umbrella term referring to any intrusive software that hackers develop to steal data and damage or destroy computers or systems– is yet another type of attack that can be perpetrated through IoT and any unsecured connected devices. Malware comes in various forms such as viruses, worms, spyware, adware, and ransomware.

Real-life examples of the threat posed by malware include what’s become known as “CovidLock,” a ransomware attack in 2020 that took advantage of people’s desire for more information on COVID to ultimately deny access to Android users’ devices unless they paid a “ransom” of US$100. In the business community, the famed “Emotet” virus in 2018 propagated financial theft of bank accounts and cryptocurrencies, resulting in damages of US$1 million to the city of Allentown, Pennsylvania and US$2 million to Chilean bank Consorcio. According to Statista, 5.5 billion malware attacks were detected globally in 2022. Experts fear that this number will only continue to grow worldwide with the proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) tools.

Safeguard Your Company from IoT Cyber Threats

Given our global society’s ever-expanding use of the Internet of Things and connected devices, along with the growing sophistication of tools employed by hackers, is your organization adequately positioned to help prevent cyber attacks and the damage they can inflict on your company’s financial status, brand, and reputation?

All About IoT Security, an eLearning program from IEEE, is here to help you bolster your defense against this threat.

This online program recognizes that, as Internet devices and systems become increasingly commonplace in our interconnected and digitalized society, connected devices run the increasing risk of being targeted and abused as tools to facilitate other malicious activities.

Developed by IEEE Educational Activities with support from the IEEE Internet of Things Technical Community, this six-course program provides audience members with a broad overview of IoT security, starting with malware (botnet detection and malware analysis) followed by vulnerabilities, network monitoring, setting up of testbeds, and application of blockchain in IoT security.

Specifically, learners will receive instruction on challenges and opportunities in IoT security and how IoT botnets grow their networks as well as forensics of IoT malware, taxonomy when designing an IoT system for security purposes, and the application of blockchain to the IoT. The course program is ideal for engineers in the fields of product and design, communications systems, computers, software and security, artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Interested in access for yourself? To enroll in this course, visit the IEEE Learning Network.

Connect with an IEEE Content Specialist today to learn how to get access to this program for your organization today.

 

Resources

Petrosyan, Ani. (22 September 2023). Number of Internet and Social Media Users Worldwide as of July 2023. Statista.

Mallon, Sean. (14 May 2020). IoT is the Most Important Development of the 21st Century. SmartData Collective.

(5 December 2017). What is a Botnet?. Panda.

Temming, Maria. (20 November 2018). How Twitter Bots Get People to Spread Fake News. ScienceNews.

Starks, Tim and DiMolfetta, David. (11 October 2023). The Largest Cyberattack of its Kind Recently Happened. Here’s How. The Washington Post.

What is Malware? Cisco.

Privacy By Design. Deloitte.

(4 June 2021). 11 Real and Famous Cases of Malware Attacks. Gatefy.

Panduru, Diana. (9 August 2021). 10 Malware Examples: Most Famous And Devastating Cases In History. Attack Simulator.

Petrosyan, Ani. (31 August 2023). Malware – Statistics & Facts. Statista. 

By the end of 2023, reports estimate the world will have over 16.7 billion connected Internet of Things (IoT) devices. This means there will be a tremendous amount of potentially vulnerable targets if they are not properly protected. As the world continues to implement more networks, the importance of IoT security will grow in order to maintain confidence in such devices and systems.

What is IoT Security?

The Internet of Things (IoT) can be defined as the network of software-embedded objects that connect and exchange data with themselves and other devices. IoT security focuses on safeguarding connected devices and networks in the Internet of Things. In other words, this technology segment can be understood as a cyber security strategy.

The Importance of IoT Security

Because troves of valuable and private data flow through IoT devices, they are extremely at risk for cyber attacks. Every device added to a network expands its digital attack surface, which is the number of weak points where an unauthorized user can access the system. This constant exposure to potential data theft and other invasions makes the need for IoT security solutions even more crucial.

While efficient, the interconnectedness of IoT devices unfortunately adds to the threat. Through just one compromised device, a hacker can gain access to the whole system. In a corporate environment where IoT devices are deployed on the network, they have access to the company’s sensitive data and critical systems. Cyber criminals commonly target unprotected printers, smart lighting, and other office devices to gain access to the network and its data.

With IoT, the use of sensors and smart devices to collect data for smart automation specifically benefits the fields of civil engineering, urban planning, and smart cities. Understanding the impacts of the data collected can help with the safe distribution of energy, assist in new structural designs and upgrades, and support the secure interconnection of IoT within smart cities.

Who Is Responsible?

Global legislation defines who is accountable for IoT Security. In the United States, the IoT Cybersecurity Improvement Act requires government agencies to review their IoT-related risks. Agencies must also adopt best practices for security. IoT device companies are legally responsible for ensuring their products are as secure as possible. Manufacturers are at fault for compromises and vulnerabilities. Given that a company’s product developers are at the front end of these discussions, IoT security is an important skill to master. 

Any technical professional, from network security engineers to project managers, can benefit from learning about the valuable craft of IoT security. 

Is Your IoT Network Secure?

Ensure the reliability of your company’s IoT network! IEEE Educational Activities, in partnership with IEEE Internet of Things Technical Community, developed the course program All About IoT Security to provide insight for defending IoT networks from threats. Comprised of six courses, this online training covers the challenges and opportunities around IoT security, botnet detection, and malware forensics. The program also goes more in depth, looking at business case studies, blockchain applications, and directing network traffic.

Connect with an IEEE Content Specialist today to learn how to get access to this program for your organization.

Interested in access for yourself? Visit the IEEE Learning Network (ILN).

 

 

Resources:

What Is An Attack Surface? Fortinet.

What Is IoT Security? Check Point.

H.R.1668 – IoT Cybersecurity Improvement Act of 2020. Congress.gov.

Sinha, Satyajit. (24 May 2023). State of IoT 2023: Number of connected IoT devices growing 16% to 16.7 billion globally. IoT Analytics.

tech-trends-in-industry-headlines

A number of key tech trends are dominating industry headlines in 2023. They’re disrupting a diverse range of industries and signaling the world’s entry into the Fourth Industrial Revolution (“Industry 4.0”) which will be marked by rapid change to technology, industries, societal patterns, and processes at the hands of increasing interconnectivity and smart automation.

Are you up to speed on these trends?

Wi-Fi 6

Officially certified in 2020, IEEE Standard 802.11ax™ enhances the speed and reliability of wireless networks. (It is especially effective in high-density environments where a large number of devices are connected to a network.) This standard represents the underlying technology of the latest Wi-Fi 6 products.

According to Network World’s Neal Weinberg, “Wi-Fi 6 has quickly become the de facto standard for wireless LAN technology (WLAN) superseding Wi-Fi 5, and delivers improved performance, extended coverage and longer battery life compared to Wi-Fi 5.” Thanks to its more efficient quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) and spectrum utilization, he expects Wi-Fi 6  to deliver a nearly 40% increase in pure throughput.

Impacting everything from telehealth and security to defense, food service, manufacturing, the automotive industry, and much more, IEEE Standard 802.11ax ushers in a new era in remote imaging, surveillance, and smart communications in today’s highly connected landscape.

Configuration Management

As part of an alarming and ongoing trend, Security Magazine reported that global cyber attacks in 2022 increased by 38% over 2021 levels. Based on similar findings in a recent Allianz Risk Barometer report, Forbes contributor Chuck Brooks concurred that cyber security threats remain a top issue for organizations, even amid other recent worldwide challenges Specifically, “cyber perils are the biggest concern for companies globally,” Brooks said. “The threat of ransomware attacks, data breaches, or major IT outages worries companies even more than business and supply chain disruption, natural disasters, or the COVID-19 pandemic, all of which have heavily affected firms in the past year.”

Configuration management (CM) is among an organization’s best defenses against this growing threat. According to cybersecurity provider UpGuard, CM principles help optimize servers, networks, operating systems, and other IT assets, while also enhancing the consistency and traceability of configuration changes and minimizing the risk of data breaches.

Benefitting a diverse range of industries— from finance and healthcare to engineering, automotive, defense, and many others— CM helps build IT systems that better manage and respond to critical incidents while enhancing safety, security, and reliability.

Time Sensitive Networking

Fueled by a set of IEEE 802® standards known industry-wide as the “TSN toolset,” time sensitive networking enables data traffic of time-critical applications to be carried over a network shared by various kinds of applications having different Quality of Service (QoS) requirements. According to CISCO’s white paper entitled “Time-Sensitive Networking: A Technical Introduction,” “TSN technology is centrally managed and delivers guarantees of delivery.” In the case of autonomous vehicles, for example, TSN helps provide the quick processing and clear communication needed for the safe and accurate operation of everything from the steering wheel and brakes to anti-lock/anti-slip functions and road-scanning systems. And in the world of industrial automation, TSN helps ensure connectivity and real-time quality of service to mission-critical industrial applications involving robots, smart sensor/meters, intelligent manufacturing, and more.

Because it allows engineers and technicians to determine the exact time it will take for traffic to travel across a network (achieving what’s known as “determinism”) and also assesses delays in the process, TSN will deliver tremendous benefits to a diverse range of industries that rely on rapid and reliable connectivity, including industrial automation, manufacturing, automotive and aerospace, telecommunications, entertainment, and more.

Internet of Things (IoT) Security

According to Statista, the number of IoT-connected devices globally is expected to triple from 9.7 billion in 2020 to over 29 billion in 2030. While this trend reflects greater global connectivity than ever, it also exposes this rapidly growing number of devices to a broad range of threats if they’re not properly protected. Because IoT attacks present a variety of risks, the need for and value of robust IoT security has never been more imperative. An understanding of the evolving legislation behind IoT security and need for best security practices will impact everyone from product developers and device manufacturers to engineers, smart city planners, and more.

Let IEEE Help You Sharpen Your Skills and Prepare for the Future

Don’t fall behind in 2023! Stay on top of these major trends and technologies by staying up to date with IEEE. You can find training on a variety of hot topics by browsing the IEEE Learning Network, an online platform featuring hundreds of resources.


Resources

Weinberg, Neal. (24 May 2022). What is Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), and why do we need it? Network World.

UpGuard. (1 August 2022). What Is Configuration Management and Why Is It Important? UpGuard Website content..

Brooks, Chuck. (21 January 2022). Cybersecurity in 2022 – A Fresh Look at Some Very Alarming Stats. Forbes.

Anderson, Joy LePree. (20 January 2023). Global Cyberattacks Increased 38% in 2022. Security Magazine.

(2017). Time-Sensitive Networking: A Technical Introduction. CISCO White Paper.

Vailshery, Lionel Sujay. (22 November 2022). Number of Internet of Things (IoT) connected devices worldwide from 2019 to 2021, with forecasts from 2022 to 2030. Statista.

5G has been publicized as a substantial change in mobile networking—promising faster download speeds, real-time data-sharing, and network capacity. As such, the technology is expected to transform mobile networking and create new economic opportunities. Despite delays with the rollout in both the U.S. and parts of Europe, 5G has reached much of the globe. South Korea, the U.S., and China are leading the implementation with around 80-90% population coverage. Although Europe overall is trailing behind, Switzerland has reached 90%. A 2021 report from Ericsson projects 5G will account for nearly half of all mobile subscriptions by 2027 while also becoming mainstream in each of the report’s ten studied regions. Though challenges persist for deployment globally, technology providers are optimistic about the future of 5G. 

Forecasts for Industry

While the majority of 5G-supported or enabled applications today are consumer-based (think mobile streaming, augmented reality, virtual reality, and gaming), many experts believe the real money will be in enterprise applications of 5G. In its 5G value report, KPMG estimated the business-to-business case at US$4.3 trillion. Across industries—from factory automation and large-scale video surveillance to remote surgery and connected smart cities— there are a number of potentially groundbreaking use cases. 

5G enables fast, secure, and pervasive connectivity across smart networks and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. When combined with artificial intelligence, 5G can enable unparalleled productivity and efficiency. Apart from the global estimate, five industries are poised to see incremental growth: Industrial Manufacturing, Connected Healthcare, Intelligent Transportation, Environmental Monitoring, and Gaming. KPMG estimates the market across the ecosystem for these five industries will be worth more than US$500B by 2023. 

Managing Expectations 

Before organizations adopt 5G, they should understand the differences between 4G and 5G network architectures to understand how both could affect business operations. Small cell technology enables 5G to provide more cell density and enhance network capacity. While 4G technology also made similar promises, experts anticipate 5G will succeed where its predecessor falls short. However, it is essential to understand that there are still 5G issues, and it may take years to reach its full potential.

Health Concerns Regarding 5G

When you use your phone to communicate with other devices, cellular data is sent through radio frequencies (RFs). “The radiofrequency 5G is higher than the previous iterations of wireless communication, including 4G and 3G”, says Henk De Feyter, Ph.D., an assistant professor of radiology and biomedical imaging at Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut. In a world of propaganda and misinformation about 5G, how are policymakers and the public supposed to make sense of any individual claim? (For example, various internet theories have tied 5G technology to cancer and COVID-19.)

Learn more about this topic by watching 5G Demystified: Health and Safety of 5G, an on-demand LinkedIn Live recording where our speakers discuss the science and standards of human health effects from electromagnetic radio waves in 5G communications. Watch  now>>

More Ways to Explore Current 5G Issues with IEEE

Depending on what you read, 5G is either a threat to society, the impetus for the next industrial revolution, or a marketing ploy to get us to buy new phones and tablets. Seldom has an emerging technology been so widely known yet so misunderstood. IEEE Future Networks and IEEE Educational Activities have developed a free virtual event series, 5G Demystified, where experts make sense of the technology’s potential.

Check out the events in this series: 

Plus, check out these online course programs and earn continuing education credits while growing your knowledge of telecommunications technology!

Bridging the 4G/5G Gap: Telecommunications Roadmap for Implementation: This two-part course program provides a historical overview of 4G/5G, explains the legislative and regulatory background, showcases the scientific evidence surrounding wireless facilities’ impact on property value and human health, and offers a roadmap to deploy wireless facilities. Learn more>> 

5G Networks: Produced in partnership with Nokia, this online course program provides an in-depth view of performance requirements, future scenarios, and the roadmap to 5G implementation. It also explores the intricacies of 5G standardization by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) and the IEEE 802 LAN/MAN Standards Committee. Learn More>>


Resources

Ericsson. (November 2021). Ericsson Mobility Report. 

Goss, Michaela. (November 2022). 5G vs. 4G: Learn the key differences between them. TechTarget. 

Holt, Alex. (June 2020). The 5G edge computing value opportunity. KPMG. 

Laurence, Emily. (31 May 2022). Is 5G Making You Sick? Here’s What Experts Say. Forbes. 

Vella, Heidi. (17 February 2022). 5G vs 4G: what is the difference? Raconteur.

Shorter commutes, fewer crimes, reduced health burdens, and lower carbon emissions— smart city technologies provide residents with innovative technology, utility, and mobility for ease of living, economic growth, and sustainable development. An often-cited report by McKinsey Global Institute finds that  “smart cities” can improve essential quality of life indicators by 10-30%.

A smart city uses the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, and other data-gathering technology to help it run more efficiently. All smart cities have multiple layers working together. For example, a technology base consisting of sensors and smartphones connected to high-speed networks can produce raw data, which computers then process to provide insights and give alerts.

The Idea of a “Smart City” Is Evolving

Until recently, smart city technologies were primarily tools to increase efficiency behind the scenes. After more than a decade, it was recognized that intelligent “smart city” strategies start with the needs of the people, not the available technology. A July 2022 Harris Poll found that the overwhelming majority of 3,185 respondents (87%) thought it was important for their city to invest in emerging technologies. However, priorities will vary, and not all residents will value certain smart city technology. It’s critical to first consider which technologies will have the most positive and widespread impact. As demographics change, economic growth shifts, and problems evolve, municipalities must adapt to use technology to create better solutions and deliver a better quality of life.

Thus, the focus on smart cities has shifted toward incorporating smart technology into existing cities rather than starting from scratch. “It’s essentially become a matter of private entities operating with the permission and support of city or state governments,” according to Ellen Goodman, a professor at Rutgers Law School. “It’s using technology, in a way, to improve the provision of services.”

There are many cities at the forefront of this evolution. Barcelona adopted smart trash bins that signal when they are ready to be emptied. On traffic poles across Chicago, nearly 200 IoT devices analyze trends in noise pollution, climate, and traffic to inform proactive policies. Portland, Oregon, is reportedly on track to be the smartest U.S. city by using data to solve city-wide problems, such as cyclist traffic safety.

How Can Emerging Technologies Be Used in Cities?

By using smart technologies, cities could ultimately connect and integrate their various services and sectors—such as utilities, energy, healthcare, transportation, governance, and security—onto digital platforms. There are numerous ways to upgrade city services with intelligent technologies, including:

  • Traffic Management: Smart systems can resolve congestion by informing drivers about roadblocks and delays. These systems can use Deep Learning algorithms to predict and reduce traffic, which will help lower carbon emissions.
  • Environment Conservation: Artificial intelligence (AI) can analyze data on energy usage in order to decide where best to implement renewable energy sources. AI can also predict pollution levels which will help authorities make decisions best suited for the environment.
  • Healthcare: Patient monitoring systems can detect chronic conditions in advance for better preventative care. Chatbots can provide medical assistance, informational support, and schedule appointments. Lessening the amount of unexpected or emergency visits can help free up local hospital resources.
  • Waste Management: AI can distinguish between different waste types and monitor how many waste containers are filled, preventing overflows. AI can sort recyclables much more efficiently and quickly.
  • Security: AI-enabled cameras can detect criminal behavior and instantly report it to the authorities. Drones can recognize human faces and compare them with a database to trace their identity and authenticate a person entering the city or restricted areas. However, this use case does raise ethical concerns with citizens.

Shape the Future of Cities

What smart cities will look like in the next ten years is being built right now. Technology professionals must evolve with it. A five-course training program from IEEE, Smart City Technologies: Transformation of Cities, will provide insight into how smart technology is altering levels of services in areas such as healthcare systems, transportation, energy distribution, and secured data communication.

What’s covered:

  • Fundamentals of city transformations
  • Role of smart healthcare in smart cities
  • The need for smart city transportation systems
  • Smart city energy distribution and its management
  • Data privacy and security as applied to technology integration

Contact an IEEE Account Specialist to get organizational access.

Interested in the program for yourself? Visit the IEEE Learning Network.

 

Resources

Bocigas. Antonio. (24 October 2002). Smarter cities, smarter future. TechRadar.

Glover, Ellen. (4 November 2022). We Were Promised Smart Cities. Built In.

Islam, Arham. (15 October 2022). Understanding the Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Building Smart Cities and Top Startups Working on it. Marketechpost.

McCarthy, Dan. (1 November 2022). These 5 charts show what US city residents think about smart city tech. Emerging Tech Brew.

Nordli, Brian. (26 September 2022). How the Array of Things Project Is Making Chicago a Smart City. Built In.

Qin, Sherry. (5 October 2022). Portland wants to be America’s most prominent smart city. Morning Brew.

Weotzel, Remes, Boland, et al. (5 June 2018). Smart cities: Digital solutions for a more livable future. Mckinsey & Company.

Wi-Fi has been around for over 20 years. With each new generation, the world has seen remarkable gains in wireless performance, connectivity, and user experience. Wi-Fi 6E is a game-changing version of Wi-Fi that brings the technology to the 6 GHz frequency band. Past articles have outlined the technical differences between the IEEE standards known widely as Wi-Fi 5 (IEEE 802.11ac) and Wi-Fi 6 (IEEE 802.11ax), as well as the improvements made for Wi-Fi 6E.  While Wi-Fi 6E is faster than previous versions (9.6 Gbps versus 3.5 Gbps on Wi-Fi 5), it isn’t all about speed. The real value of Wi-Fi 6 will be its ability to improve the network when many devices are connected.

When Wi-Fi 5 came out, the average U.S. household had an average of five Wi-Fi devices. Today, homes have nine Wi-Fi devices on average. Experts predict this number to jump to nearly 50 Wi-Fi devices within several years, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. Wi-Fi 6 will alleviate the issues of connecting dozens of Wi-Fi devices on a single network. An essential feature of Wi-Fi 6E is that it lets routers communicate with more devices at once, send data to multiple devices in the same broadcast, and allows Wi-Fi devices to schedule check-ins with the router. In addition to being faster with more device capacity, Wi-Fi 6 can improve the battery life of devices while also having a better security protocol.

IoT is Fueling Wireless Growth

By 2025, it is predicted there will be 55.7 billion connected devices worldwide, 75% of which will be connected to an Internet of Things (IoT) platform. The wireless connectivity market is poised to reach US$157 billion by 2027, driven by wearable devices, smart home technology, and cloud service models, all working with IoT devices. While it has been challenging to meet the connectivity demands of IoT in the past, Wi-Fi 6 offers a potential solution. By extending Wi-Fi operation into the 6 GHz band, Wi-Fi 6 can support industrial IoT devices around the globe with high bandwidth, low power, and low latency capabilities.

Wi-Fi 6 and 5G Are Not the Same, But Work Together

It is important to note that some of the featured improvements of Wi-Fi 6 are similar to the emerging 5G cellular standard improvements. Though both standards employ some of the same features, they are different technologies (wireless LAN versus cellular) built for different uses. According to Network World, Wi-Fi is best suited for indoor applications in dense, high-volume environments. While Wi-Fi can work outdoors, 5G is designed to seamlessly offer cell phone coverage as you use your phone’s GPS while driving or check your email while on public transportation. As most smartphones will have both Wi-Fi 6 and 5G built-in, the two technologies will work together to support different use cases across industries.

Wi-Fi 6 Impact on Industry

Wi-Fi 6E extends the capacity, efficiency, coverage, and performance benefits of Wi-Fi 6 and offers incredible value to companies. With Wi-Fi expected to contribute nearly US$5 trillion to the global economy by 2025, more than 2.3 billion Wi-Fi 6 products and 350 million Wi-Fi 6E products entered the market in 2022. According to independent market research firms TechKnowledge Strategies and FeibusTech, Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E will offer more bandwidth, greater performance, and compelling user experiences:

  • Public Wi-Fi: Venues and providers recognize the potential of Wi-Fi 6 and are working on next-generation applications. Demand is high for Wi-Fi 6 in public venues like airports, stadiums, university campuses, and high-density apartment complexes. Several pilot deployments of Wi-Fi 6 are addressing financial transactions at stadium settings, resolving incidents with minimum disruption at airports via Wi-Fi 6 security cameras, and making video calling smooth without buffering in public settings.
  • Home: Wi-Fi 6 routers will improve wireless performance for many situations, including homes with smart home devices (like thermostats and security cameras) or older devices slowing the network, as well as households with streaming difficulties or many neighbors nearby, all of which will have their own routers and collections of devices. FeibusTech forecasts that Wi-Fi 6 will also spark a revolution in the smart home. Virtual assistants, like Amazon Alexa and Google Voice, could have far more processing power and storage available on Wi-Fi 6.
  • Enterprise: Overall, the transition to Wi-Fi 6 in enterprise deployments is expected to be more of an evolutionary story. However, CIOs and other IT decision-makers who opt for full-spec Wi-Fi 6 solutions, such as Qualcomm’s Pro platform, can plan for up to 1,500 devices connecting effortlessly on a single access point. Several companies are getting into the arena early. For example, cloud-based applications like Skype and WebEx running on laptop and smartphone apps might have us saying goodbye to traditional desktop phones. Ruckus and Lenovo are making educational applications for students using VR goggles, where Wi-Fi 6 will be critical.
  • Automotive: Wi-Fi 6 could be used to revolutionize the automotive market. For autonomous cars, vehicle-to-vehicle communication could be used to prevent accidents and speed up stop-and-go traffic. Likewise, vehicle-to-infrastructure can improve traffic flow at stop lights. In-car entertainment will get a boost from both Wi-Fi 6 and 5G. This combination will offer real-time responsiveness for streaming. Additionally, automobile dealers will be able to connect wirelessly to vehicles’ onboard diagnostics as customers enter the service area. This would help cut wait times and increase the capacity of the service department.

Preparing for Wi-Fi 6— Are You Ready?

Wi-Fi 6 will bring immediate benefits in network speed, capacity, and responsiveness to the global market. Such benefits will allow for new applications in virtually every segment.

Learn more in IEEE 802.11ax: An Overview of High Efficiency Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi 6) Part One and Part Two. Join us for this live virtual course program on 21 and 22 February from 12-3pm ET. It will provide an overview of the features and optimizations introduced by IEEE 802.11ax to the physical and medium access control layers. Purchase this course program by 17 February for the opportunity to ask questions and interact with the instructors.

Can’t make the live sessions? Purchasers will have access to the on-demand version of the course program. See more details>>

 

Resources

Cisco. (2022). 5 things to know about Wi-Fi 6/6E and Private 5G. Cisco.

Kastrenakes, Jacob. (21 February 2019). Wi-Fi 6: is it really that much faster? The Verge.

Research and Markets. (28 November 2022). Wireless and Fixed Connectivity Market Report 2022. BusinessWire. 

Robinson, Kevin. (21 March 2022). Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E: The key to IoT. Wi-Fi Alliance. 

TechKnowledge Strategies. (2019). Wi-Fi 6 Industry Impact Report. Qualcomm.

Telecom. (10 November 2022). Value of Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi Alliance.

Weinberg, Neal. (24 May 2022). What is Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), and why do we need it? Network World.

virtual and-augmented-reality-technologies-smart-cities

Not so long ago, the perception of virtual and augmented reality technologies was confined to science fiction. Movies like Avatar, The Matrix, and Total Recall painted a picture of what could be possible. Today’s virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technology is not quite as immersive as these examples, but it is advancing rapidly. Today, many businesses are recognizing the benefits of using augmented and virtual realities to improve their operations. AR and VR are now being used for everything from prototyping and design to marketing, customer service, training, and productivity. 

While experts are split about the evolution of a truly immersive “metaverse,” they do expect that augmented and mixed-reality enhancements will become more useful in people’s daily lives. This is especially true when it comes to smart cities that commonly use Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. However, according to Jamie Cameron, director of digital solutions at building security company Johnson Controls, “connectivity and technology are not the end goal for smart cities—they are the means to improving the quality of life for city residents.” And with virtual and augmented reality technologies, smart cities could be much smarter.

Making Smart Cities More Sustainable

With the UN projecting 68% of the world population to live in urban areas by 2050, the combined carbon footprint of the world’s different cities is only set to grow. Connected communities have an advantage because they can use IoT technology to understand the problem and then help solve it. 

Smart cities can collect a wealth of data by installing different sensors around the community. These sensors can range from measuring air quality, as used by the London Air Quality Network; or detecting leaking water pipes, as Vodafone has recently partnered with SES Water to do. After collecting the data, the smart cities can decide what to do with all that information. A model of a city known as a digital twin can be used to simulate how different policies may affect a city. It can also provide insight into progress being made towards sustainability targets.

Creating Safer Smart Cities

The infrastructure and systems needed to successfully collect, analyze, and transmit information across a city are complex and comprehensive. Smart cities may represent a better way to plan and manage urban living, but they also serve as attractive new targets for cyber criminals. Digital enhancement enhances digital risk. To keep a smart city running smoothly, governments need tech-enabled support desks to help resolve problems. Smart cities are built from data, but what information is collected, who has access to it, and how it may be used are all highly contentious areas impacting public trust.

Enhancing the Quality of Life in Smart Cities

To improve the quality of life in urban spaces, city councils, urban planners, and developers are exploring cutting-edge digital solutions that can potentially power smart cities. Augmented reality technology is a promising solution. AR works by overlaying digital information in real-world environments: all you need is a smartphone and AR can provide constant feedback within smart cities, allowing everyone to make informed decisions in their day-to-day life. AR can make urban spaces more people centered and improve urban mobility, public safety, public health, and tourism.

Keep up with AR/VR Technology

Information and communication technologies have made smart cities a reality. However, augmented reality and virtual reality technologies have shifted the smart city paradigm. Practical Applications of Virtual and Augmented Reality in Business and Society: The Case of Smart Cities will help keep you current with AR/VR technology.

Interested in the course? Visit the IEEE Learning Network.

Resources:

Anderson, Janna and Raine, Lee. (30 June 2022). The Metaverse in 2040. Pew Research Center. 

Dumbell, Katherine. (18 July 2022). How smart technology can make cities more sustainable? Verdict. 

Galil, Eran. (16 July 2022). Improving the customer experience with virtual and augmented reality. VentureBeat.

Imperial College London. (21 July 2022). About Londair. LondonAir.

Lee, Giacomo. (6 January 2022). Meet the tech CEO who survived a flood and built a digital twin of Earth. Verdict.

Manser, James. (5 June 2020). How IoT tech could save the UK three billion litres of water a day. Vodafone.

Milewa, Gergana. (12 September 2021). How Smart Cities Can Use Augmented Reality Technology. AR Post. 

Rosenburg, Louis. (28 December 2021). Why AR, not VR, will be the heart of the metaverse. VentureBeat.

Open Access News. (15 November 2021). Connectivity: The fundamental ingredient of a successful smart city. Open Access Government.

Open Access News. (28 June 2022). The cities of the future are smart – but we must also make them secure. Open Access Government.

By 2025, there will be over 23 billion connections on the Internet of Things (IoT) compared to 15.1 billion in 2021, according to a recent report from GSMA, an industry organization that represents the interests of mobile network operators worldwide. 

The Internet of Things is a network of interlinked devices that harness the internet to continuously capture and process data and analytics from physical objects. As IoT adoption increases and it becomes more integrated, global supply chains are expected to reap major benefits. For example, IoT devices create multiple interaction points along supply chains that provide advanced data collection, factory automation, GPS shipment tracking, and enhanced communication between machines and people. 

According to Dipti Parmar, writing in CIO, there are two major ways that IoT – combined with artificial intelligence, wireless sensor networks, 5G, and big data – will make supply chains smarter, faster, and more efficient:

Eliminates dependency on complicated infrastructure:

Traditional tracking systems for supply chain analytics are expensive, time consuming, overly complex, and often lead to dependency on vendors. IoT-based data loggers, which can be attached to shipments and send data to cloud-based servers, can solve these issues. Once attached to shipments, these loggers can monitor thousands of goods traveling across the supply chain. This level of detail gives everyone involved valuable insight into any problems —such as temperature changes or container tilting — that could be affecting the shipments in real time. The loggers are also more affordable than traditional hardware used to track shipments, and can provide enhanced analytics for enhanced decision making.

Provides equal access to data:

In an IoT-enhanced supply chain, data is accessible in real time to everyone involved in the shipment of goods. With improved monitoring and visibility, manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and retailers can: 

  • make better and faster decisions
  • save time and money
  • improve forecasting
  • reduce waste
  • take more calculated risks
  • increase revenue

IoT Depends on Advanced Cloud Technology

While the Internet of Things has the power to transform supply chains, its success will depend heavily on cloud computing technology. This is because IoT devices must be able to connect and send information to the cloud in a centralized location, which allows devices to communicate with one another. As such, organizations that want to adapt the benefits of IoT also need to embrace advanced cloud technology. 

“The cloud helps in this operation by streamlining and optimizing machine-to-machine communications and facilitating this across interfaces,” writes Ritesh Sutaria, Director of Prompt Softech, a custom forward development company, in IoT for All. “With the increased interactions between many connected devices and immense volumes of data generated, organizations will have to find a cost-effective way to store, process, and access data from their IoT solutions.”

Ongoing Disruptions Will Drive IoT Adoption

Despite its many benefits, industries have been hesitant to adopt IoT. However, ongoing challenges in the supply system, such as disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, will likely encourage more organizations to start adopting the technology in coming years. 

“Speed and reliability have always been and will continue to be the driving factors of the supply chain for the foreseeable future,” writes Parmar. “The next few months will be critical for companies that bank on data to improve their supply chains. They have a never-before opportunity to build on the momentum and insights gained as a result of COVID-related disruptions by adopting newer technology and systems. The ones that fail to adapt to changing realities will likely be left behind by more agile competitors.”

As organizations adopt IoT, they will increasingly depend on technical professionals who understand this complex technology. Learning the applications, principles, and trends behind the technology is a great way to make your skills more relevant. 

Want to Improve Your IoT Skills? Check out the IEEE Academy on IoT

Are you a professional engineer interested in improving your understanding of the Internet of Things? IEEE has created a new academy that combines existing IoT educational materials with the latest research and developments to help guide technical professionals in this expanding field. 

IEEE Academies are primarily for technical professionals who need to understand new technical information quickly so they can apply it to their work. In addition to gaining new skills and knowledge, participants will also earn a certificate upon their completion. There are two IoT learning paths from which to choose— and both are available on the IEEE Learning Network (ILN)!

IEEE Academy on Internet of Things (IoT): Communications Standards

Communication technology is an essential part of the Internet of Things as it allows devices to connect to each other. This learning path covers the basic principles of communication technology and practical usage of standardized communication. Learn more. 

IEEE Academy on Internet of Things (IoT): Computing Platforms

IoT computing platforms are essential to the development and deployment of IoT applications. This learning path covers all these aspects by providing an overview of the current state-of-art and future trends on computing platforms for IoT applications. Learn more.

What Are IEEE Academies?

IEEE Academies are designed to teach in-demand technical concepts in a new way to IEEE members working in industry. This new learning format at IEEE will help members understand a technical concept without needing a deep background in that technology. This will ensure they understand the fundamental concepts so they can apply them in the context of their general work and technical needs. Learn more about IEEE Academies.

Resources

Sutaria, Ritesh. (8 April 2022). Unveiling the Potential Relationship between IoT and Cloud Computing. IoT for All. 

Parmar, Dipti. (12 April 2022). How data from IoT devices is changing supply chain analytics. CIO. 

The Mobile Economy 2022. GSMA.