Technology has always determined how individuals and organizations communicate with one another.
As new innovative solutions pop up, the quality and method of interaction get enhanced.
The past few years have been transformative on that front. Various advanced wireless technologies such as 5G-Advanced, NearLink, and Wi-Fi 7 have pushed the boundaries of collaboration further.
These upgrades have opened possibilities for both businesses and individuals alike to exchange useful information and do meaningful work.
In this article, let’s look at these emerging wireless technologies to understand how they will shape the future of connectivity.
1. 5G-Advanced: Elevating Mobile Connectivity
5G-Advanced is an update to 5G wireless networks that brings faster speeds, reduced latency, and increased bandwidth to users. It is surreal to note how the recent leap from 4G to 5G was huge, and now there is yet another step forward!
One of the biggest advantages of 5G-Advanced, also known as 5.5G, is that it supports more simultaneous connections between devices. This will streamline data-intensive applications like analytics, Internet of Things (IoT) operations, and collaborative cloud-based 3D rendering.
Furthermore, the reduced latency enables businesses to deliver immersive experiences to their audiences. Users can now enjoy augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) applications better in use cases such as gaming and productivity.
Additionally, 5.5G is more energy efficient, which can benefit both individual consumers and large organizations. The emerging wireless technology leverages Extra Large Antenna Arrays that need less power.
End users can access internet services outside or in transit without having to plug in their devices every now and then. Similarly, organizations can reach their sustainable goals while elevating their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) profile.
To put it concisely, users can look forward to affordable and reliable connections and companies can deliver critical services and immersive experiences across devices with 5G-Advanced.
2. PWA and Wasm: Richer Websites
Websites enable individuals and companies to access information stored on computers and drivers in remote locations. This wireless technology has connected people across the globe by simplifying information sharing, collaboration, and commerce.
As the majority of internet users are increasingly choosing to access web content via mobile devices, it has become crucial to enrich the on-site experiences. Webmasters, therefore, are constantly working to close the gap between desktop and mobile versions of a website.
Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) facilitate that by combining the best capabilities of web and mobile apps. It lets the end user access content offline, enjoy faster page speeds, and receive relevant push notifications.
This allows businesses to deliver rich and interactive content across devices while keeping the experience consistent.
Similarly, brands can serve their software through a web interface through WebAssembly (Wasm). Wasm executes performance-intensive tasks right in the browser by allowing web apps to run multi-lingual code at near-native speed.
Consequently, consumers can enjoy applications without having to install the software natively on their local machine. This also enables them to receive essential updates seamlessly, protecting their data and improving the experience over time.
To extract the maximum benefits of PWA and Wasm to enhance connectivity, companies and organizations need to leverage a capable content management system (CMS). WordPress, an open-source and widely popular CMS, can be a great choice.
WordPress, being the most used CMS by businesses of all sizes, gets updates quickly, and an active global community of developers ensures the latest remote communication technologies remain accessible to everyone.
Less popular CMS options such as Drupal lack this agility, preventing teams from connecting with their audience in the best way possible. To mitigate this challenge, such teams consider Drupal to WordPress migration to elevate their on-site experience.
3. Wi-Fi 7: The New WLAN
Wi-Fi is one of the most commonly used wireless technologies, facilitating connectivity in various forms. The latest iteration, Wi-Fi 7, takes it to another level with increased capacity for multiple connections and lower latency compared to its predecessors.
Theoretically, devices equipped with it can reach a maximum of 46 Gbps, getting quite close to wired local area networks (WLANs). On top of that, it operates across multiple frequencies (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz) and has broader channel bandwidths (up to 320 MHz).
In certain cases, it can transfer information better and more efficiently than some of the earlier WLANs.
Faster and stronger Wi-Fi means improved content experiences. AR and VR devices can become more mobile, allowing users to dive into immersive experiences in education, work, and entertainment.
Consumers can also enjoy identical user experiences in their mobile devices and wearables, as data can be transmitted in real time. Moreover, technology related to the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart gadgets can perform better, elevating the quality of life.
While Wi-Fi 7 is a leap forward, it is essential to remember that its adoption will be relatively slower compared to other wireless innovations in this list, such as PWAs and Wasm. This is because users need a compatible modem or router, and hardware upgrades take time.
At the same time, companies investing in research and development (R&D) could immediately adopt them to push the engineering boundaries. This often includes organizations in industries like robotics, gaming, and the military.
4. NearLink: Great for Short-Range Communications
NearLink combines the strengths of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to ensure low latency, high concurrency, interference resistance, and reliability in connections. It leverages a short-range wireless communication protocol to elevate communication in close proximity.
Also known as SparkLink, the technology achieves microsecond-level latency, supports multiple devices, and robust security. This allows it to be leveraged in multiple use cases, such as:
- Consumer devices: Wearables like wireless earbuds, gaming controllers, and smart home appliances work better with NearLink. Users can send commands or check statuses accurately and in real time.
- Automotive industry: Devices such as digital keys and on-board entertainment systems work well with NearLink. Additionally, it can be used to train self-driving models by communicating with other vehicles nearby.
- Industrial automation: Closed-loop control applications in assembly lines, like temperature and speed control, can be more reliable with NearLink. Its low latency can also elevate safety standards by improving responsiveness.
Built by Huawei-led NearLink Alliance, the technology has addressed various limitations associated with short-range communication. This includes weaker device pairing, delayed data transmission, and multi-device connectivity problems.
5. DePINs: Democratizing Connectivity
Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePINs) leverage blockchain technology to allow individuals and organizations to develop and operate assets together. The assets can be wireless networks, energy grids, and data storage solutions.
This wireless technology uses a token-based transaction system to reward the participating individuals and organizations based on their contributions. For instance, if someone in a DePIN provides storage, it will be registered in the blockchain and initiate payments in cryptocurrency.
The biggest advantage of DePINs is the community-driven infrastructure. Everything from the nature of assets to the reward policies can be determined collaboratively, without any corporate interference. Users can even create a new cryptocurrency for their transactions!
The decentralized technology is shaping the future of connectivity for both businesses and individual consumers in various ways:
- Wi-Fi hotspots: DePIN projects like Helium allow users to share their internet via hotspots. It creates expansive wireless networks that offer broader coverage at potentially lower costs.
- Data storage: Filecoin allows users to rent out unused drive spaces for crypto rewards. This decentralized storage solution upholds data redundancy and reduces dependency on centralized servers.
- Energy distribution: Blockchain is making its way into power grids. Organizations like the Energy Web Foundation are helping existing players in the market transition to clean, decentralized energy systems.
6. Local AI: Privacy and Productivity
Artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as large language models (LLMs) have been helping professionals be more productive. These advanced solutions are currently being used in various industries, across organizations to enhance operations.
However, one of the biggest ongoing challenges is privacy and data safety.
Companies handling sensitive data and consumers with their personal information constantly hesitate to leverage these powerful technologies to collaborate with one another. The data entered into these tools are processed in the cloud, which can present vulnerabilities.
Fortunately, recent developments have led to the creation of multiple free, open-source, and lightweight generative AI models. These tools can run locally on consumer devices such as laptops and smartphones, boosting productivity without sacrificing safety.
Organizations can fine-tune these public models for their specific use cases and run them on approved devices or company-owned servers. This will give the stakeholders peace of mind regarding safety while optimizing costs in the long term.
Individual users can also use AI on their local devices to perform tasks such as summarizing emails, auto-responding texts, and analyzing other kinds of data like images.
Additionally, these lightweight but efficient AI models can work seamlessly without internet connections, making the tech infrastructure more resilient. This enhances collaboration and communication in different settings, personal and commercial.
Conclusion
Technology has always revolutionized how we communicate and exchange information with each other. The recent developments in wireless technology can revolutionize how people and organizations communicate among themselves.
The five groundbreaking technologies are:
- 5G-Advanced: Stronger connections with ultra-low latency for mobile devices like smartphones.
- PWAs and Wasm: Combining the best of apps and websites to deliver uniform experiences across devices.
- Wi-Fi 7: Reliable and robust connectivity among devices, even during data-intensive applications.
- NearLink: Industrial-grade short-range communication with high accuracy and real time responsivity.
- DePINs: Democratize domains by lowering the barrier of entry, even for complex industries like energy and data storage.
- Local AI: Enjoy productivity and efficiency without worrying about privacy and internet connection.
