5G: Putting Scotland in the fast lane

[Chris_K]

Original article by Derek McManus, O2's COO, as published by The Herald.

In just a matter of months, a once-in-a-decade upgrade to Scotland’s mobile network will start rolling out. By now, you might have heard about 5G and the fact that it’s launching soon.

But with technical buzzwords like “network slicing”, “immersive VR” and “edge computing” often thrown into the 5G conversation, many people are still unsure what 5G means and whether they should care. But care we should, because 5G is coming and with more Brits now owning a smartphone than holding a driving licence, it’s time for Scotland to take notice.

The way we go about our daily lives, the way councils service their communities, even the trajectory of our economy is about to change thanks to the next generation of mobile connectivity.

As an immediate benefit, 5G will be at least 10 times faster than 4G, giving you the chance to download a full-length movie in mere seconds.

But an end to Netflix buffering on the bus is only part of the story. With the arrival of 5G, wireless connectivity will go from something we experience through personal devices, to something that connects buildings, cars, home appliances and utilities – meaning connected traffic lights to reduce road delays or sensors that can detect water leaks quicker.

Recent research from O2 also found that 5G will make a measurable difference to people’s finances, with every household expected to be £450 better off – as improved connectivity drives savings on energy, council tax and food bills.

Once rolled-out, 5G will also help businesses to get things done quicker, as faster speeds improve workplace productivity, and also support instantaneous video communication between customers and co-workers, which may help to make remote working more practical.

Scotland has an opportunity to embrace 5G and its benefits thanks to our roll-out 5G plans. This year, Edinburgh will be prioritised as one of the first cities in the country to benefit from our 5G network. To ensure Scottish businesses get a head-start, we’re also building a 5G innovation space in Edinburgh, enabling businesses of all sizes to explore the possibilities of this emerging technology.

But for 5G to truly fulfil its potential, we need to prioritise it. As new 5G-enabled devices start to come online, data usage will increase dramatically – placing new demands on our mobile networks.

From mobile operators investing, councils and landlords allowing masts on buildings, and firms looking at how it can help them – we must work together to ensure as many homes and businesses can access this technology as possible.

At the same time, we also need to work together to tackle issues around rural connectivity. Whilst the future is exciting, we know too many Scottish mobile users are still struggling to access 4G or even 3G.

Priorities have to be about investing for the future, but also investing for right now. That’s why I’m in Edinburgh today meeting with Scotland’s Connectivity Minister, Paul Wheelhouse, and Ofcom Scotland, to see how we can advance our shared ambition of delivering the highest standard of connectivity throughout the country.

The aim must be for people to experience fast speeds wherever they are located, and over the last year we’ve made great strides towards that vision. Throughout 2018, we delivered high-speed 4G mobile coverage to 366 new locations across Scotland. This year we’re hoping to connect up to 72 Scottish communities to our 4G network, which should boost our level of 4G coverage in homes and businesses throughout Scotland to 94.6 per cent.

The future mobile Britain is on the horizon and we’re committed to helping Scotland embrace it.

[Bambino]

And the Samsung S10 5G is going to cost.....? The manufacturers and phone networks will hike prices at the outset to ensure they get the maximum from customers who are eager for the new technology. When the hype settles down, more mid-range phones will become available, and tariffs for the service will become more competitive once all the networks are on board. That will probably take years. Until then, expect to pay through the nose if you want 5G.