Insights | Mobius Consultants

5G Networks – Going Private

Private mobile and fixed networks have been around for many years but on a small scale and in specialised applications. This is set to change with a new release of the 5G specification which focuses on enabling 5G to be used in a host of new applications ranging from farms to factories and from mining to warehouses. But to make this happen, most enterprises wishing to deploy 5G will need to set up and operate a private 5G network tailored to their requirements. Providing this missing link has attracted much interest and not a little hype. In reality, spectrum and devices are limitations at present, but the things are moving quickly, and rapid growth is forecast. Those preparing now will be best positioned to benefit as 5G is used in ever more diverse applications.

Opportunities in Digital Education

The pandemic caused disruption to school-age education around the world on a scale not seen before. As things start to get back to normal, what will be the lasting impact? The pandemic led to a huge uptake of digital learning in a sector previously slow to adopt technology. It also underlined the essential role of teachers, destroying the myth that somehow digital learning reduces the role of teachers. Moving forward there is real opportunity for a lasting improvement in education and this is stimulating a wave of innovation and investment. To succeed, requires a bold approach coupled with careful analysis of how best to apply digital technology and learning science.

Education 4.0

Artificial intelligence and other technologies will transform education by putting learners in charge of their own education, by tailoring the learning experience to differing student needs and through redefining the traditional roles of schools and universities. The result will be a fourth revolution in education – Education 4.0. The process has accelerated as a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic and it is becoming clear there will be no one standard model. Instead, there will be considerable diversity in the way Education 4.0 is implemented.

5G Beyond Telecom

5G is fast becoming part of modern telecommunication networks. The 3GPP organisation has completed the full 5G specification, telecom operators are building 5G networks and 5G is widely supported in the latest crop of smartphones. But acquiring spectrum for 5G and deploying the technology is expensive and the business case remains unclear. 5G is designed to support an astonishingly wide range of new applications beyond traditional telecoms and, in many cases, this is the answer to pay the bills. But progress is slow taking these new 5G applications forward.

Opening Up 5G

A new idea is sweeping through the mobile network industry – a shift from the present situation where mobile networks are a monolithic whole purchased from one supplier to a position where modular components, open interfaces, software-defined functionality, open software, and cloud native design are the norm. The intention is to increase competition, reduce reliance on a single supplier, cut costs and improve flexibility. There are many claims and counter claims about the merits of the approach. Deciding where, when and how to apply openness requires careful and nuanced analysis.

AI in Education

Artificial intelligence can transform education by putting learners in charge of their own education, by shaping the learning experience to widely varying needs and through redefining the traditional roles of schools and universities. But there is too much hysteria and many over inflated claims. What is needed is a measured approach and a realistic understanding of what can be achieved and how to make the technology work.

5G – Reality Dawns

Specification of 5G is progressing rapidly driven by the 3GPP. Meanwhile, mobile operators and manufacturers are moving fast to make the system a reality. As well as being a technological marvel, 5G is intended to take on an astonishingly wide range of applications well beyond current phone and internet services. Building 5G networks will be expensive and these new applications will need to succeed to pay the bills.

Summing up the Internet of Things

The Internet of Things (IoT) is one of the most talked about digital technology enablers. IoT is already transforming established industries including creating entirely new business models and the pace of change is increasing. But what exactly is the current “state of play”, what are the most promising applications areas and what should companies be doing about it?

Why digital learning is so important?

Education is one of the slowest sectors to take up digital technology. It remains largely structured to suit educationalists not students and is focused on early stage education – once in the adult world, education opportunities are limited. Digital technology can have a transformative impact including making education student-centred, providing better lifelong learning and widening access.

How Over the Top is transforming the telecom sector?

The old business model for telecommunication operators mainly involves selling voice minutes and messaging. This is rapidly diminishing and being replaced by the sale of broadband connectivity. But this allows the Internet giants and others to operate telecommunication services over networks they don’t run or pay for. What, if anything, should telecommunication operators, regulators and other players do about this?

The role of 5G in the digital revolution

Early 5G mobile technology will be operational by 2020 in time for the Tokyo Olympics. But it is getting harder to define the objectives for new generation mobile systems and the role of 5G is not yet clear, let alone the technology. 5G will undoubtedly have a fundamental impact in multiple sectors, but what will these be and what should be done in preparation?