For years, 5G has been billed as the network of the future. But, here in 2022, the future is now. With every large cellular provider in the country currently offering a 5G option in some capacity, the questions surrounding 5G infrastructure have evolved from “When do we get it?” to “How can we use it?” The potential to harness the power and speed of the 5G network is nearly limitless. Wondering how field service businesses like yours can benefit from 5G technology? Read on as we explore what 5G means for the field service industry.
Unfortunately, with field service, technicians often find themselves in areas devoid of strong signals. 5G is an enticing proposition for field service companies because this technology improves coverage and increases upload and download speeds. With 5G, signals are more likely to pass through buildings, thus improving coverage both indoors and out. This can be especially important for organizations that utilize cloud-based field service management software via technicians’ mobile devices. With 5G, technicians will have greater access to applications that use the internet. They also should run smoother and faster than ever before.
In a 2021 piece, Digitaltrends compared 4G and 5G, hitting on fundamental differences such as speed and coverage. However, the authors believe 5G will really shine with latency gains over previous network generations. Simply put, latency is the time it takes for data from your device to be uploaded and reach its target. As Digitaltrends points out, it’s vital in applications where response time is key. The average latency of existing 4G networks is about 50 milliseconds (ms) and drops dramatically, to between 1 ms and 10 ms with 5G. Such low latency enables virtual reality and augmented reality applications that field service organizations could use to enhance customer experiences.
Reduced latency and increased network speeds mean the 5G infrastructure inherently supports automation. Turn-by-turn directions are already actively used by many field service technicians. With 5G technology in play, technicians have the advantage real-time updates to directions based on a variety of factors such as traffic and weather. Field service businesses can also use automation supported by 5G to better monitor and manage stock for essential tools and assets. This can help ensure technicians are never empty-handed when it’s time to complete a job.
Now that you know what 5G can do for your business, you may be curious about how to prepare for it. Talk with your communications service provider to get a sense of their 5G rollout plan. Consider how 5G can meet your individual business needs. For example, augmented reality could be a way for your customers to digitally try your goods or services before proceeding with a purchase.
As a field service management software provider, EnSight+ is excited to see the full impact that 5G can have on field service organizations. Still not sure what 5G will mean for your business or what field service management software can do for you? Book your demo today, and let’s talk.
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