Contradictions
Telecommunications and computing are all about making things faster and easier no matter what you are doing throughout the world. However, while this is the goal there are a lot of contradictions to this goal. One of these contradictions is the process to gain that end goal of speed, efficiency, and simplicity. The process of implementing a lot of the technological developments within telecommunications and computing is not by any means easy or simple. Implementation takes a lot of time and also money. By the end of 2020, 5G infrastructure cost is expected to hit $2.7 trillion and investing in 5G infrastructure upgrades is estimated to cost around $1 trillion. As of June on average, each qubit-second costs approximately $0.05 USD. At the current price, a quantum computing campaign for a significant problem would cost more than $10 billion. For implementation, it must be planned out for how you are going to use the technology. This process takes a lot of time, because if you mess up your implementation it could set you back further.
Another contradiction is that a lot of the developments are about solving problems, but they end up creating just as many problems and questions that need to be solved and answered even when implemented. For example, a lot of our areas of disruption that we discovered create a lot of questions and problems regarding the protection of data and information. So much important data and information is being transferred in so many different technological ways, how do we protect it? Quantum computing and edge computing involve very complex machinery and processes, while they can solve complex solutions an error or mishap in the computing aspect can be catastrophic and difficult to fix.
Inflections
An inflection within telecommunications and computing would be the growth and implementation of 5G and also the growth the Internet of things (IoT). 5G has really enabled a lot of other technologies through its connectivity and speed that it provides. While IoT has been around for a while, in recent years due to 4G and now 5G, it has fully grown more and IoT devices have had a huge impact on the world. It allows devices and technologies to connect with one another and share data. IoT devices are all around us, in fact there are more IoT devices and connections than there are people in the world. Smart phones, smartwatches, medical sensors, and fitness trackers are a couple examples of IoT devices. Many of them have become staples in our everyday lives and we cannot imagine living without them. 5G has also been a major inflection because it has enhanced the thought process throughout. There is a new belief in what we can do with technologies and what is possible due to what 5G enables.
Practices
A practice would be the use of IoT devices. Individuals are constantly purchasing new IoT devices to better and simplify their everyday lives. Some examples are the Amazon Echo and the Ring doorbell. These two are also good examples of the fact IoT devices and the last version or upgrade of them are constantly advertised. They also have different uses; some can be for entertainment while others are for protection. Another practice would be the creation and use of autonomous technologies, like autonomous vehicles, robots, and drones. A lot of companies now have been really innovative, every week companies like Tesla are in the news with a new idea. Iron Ox is constantly pushing forward the use of robotics in farming.
Hacks
One of the hacks within telecommunications and computing is how it can actually help the environment and help with climate change. The main goal of 5G is to help enable technology and to provide high speeds, lower latency, and increased connectivity. The use of 5G technology will actually help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and overall help fight climate change. 5G is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 330.8 million metric tons by 2025. One of the ways it does this is by 5G connectivity to improve the quality and maintenance of public transportation. The increase in public transportation quality will thus decrease the use of vehicles. The use of 5G technology within factories will help as well.
Augmented Reality involves overlaying visual, auditory, or other sensory information onto the real world to enhance one’s experience. Instead of completely changing the surroundings that virtual reality creates, AR takes aspects from the current environment and alters them. It is interesting to see how corporations are now using AR to train their workforce. In the workplace, AR can enhance the learning and comprehension of both trainees and seasoned workers. Additionally, AR can boost employee engagement and safety awareness while alleviating training costs and lower learning curves. AR provides the opportunity for hands-on learning where employees can practice job activities in real-time at their own pace without pressure from customers, managers, and performance expectations. Some job situations are inherently dangerous; therefore, AR allows new employees to practice these tasks without the risk of injury or endangerment.
Rarities
For the past few years, we have seen devices becoming smarter and more connected with one another. This can be contributed to the Internet of Things (IoT). The big impact is still to come, but IoT has led the way in the exponential growth of connected devices. Everyday items are connected to one another and the internet. Nowadays, we see smartphones talking to refrigerators, AC devices, printers, or even washing machines. Simple tasks such as closing the shades on windows are even becoming automated now. Lutron’s Serena Shades are self-install smart shades that will extend, retract, or tilt at the touch of a button. They work with every major smart-home system and all the voice assistants through the wireless smart bridge provided by Lutron. This is a small device that plugs into the home’s router and lets you control your devices remotely.
Extremes
Zero Touch (ZT), an innovative technology of telecommunications, was originally focused on networks and making them more self-sustaining. This mostly impacts IT management and IT professionals as it changes their role when it comes to organizational networks. ZT is currently being pushed to enable the idea of humans and robots working together. For humans & robots to be able to work together, billions of devices need to be orchestrated to realize their full potential, which then requires hugely complex systems. Therefore, ZT would make these complex systems much easier to access and use. We could see the possibility of smart manufacturing where machines and humans work side by side. A ZT network would form a networked society where 5G connectivity, edge computing, and analytics act as the backbone. The efficiency gains would be so large that it is expected for cyber-physical systems to be incorporated in almost any environment to work and learn alongside humans. Companies in manufacturing industries will be able to protect employees, optimize processes, and improve product quality. Some internet users would go even further, “40 percent say they would like a robot that works and earns income for them, freeing up their leisure time.”
Rarities
For the past few years, we have seen devices becoming smarter and more connected with one another. This can be contributed to the Internet of Things (IoT). The big impact is still to come, but IoT has led the way in the exponential growth of connected devices. Everyday items are connected to one another and the internet. Nowadays, we see smartphones talking to refrigerators, AC devices, printers, or even washing machines. Simple tasks such as closing the shades on windows are even becoming automated now. Lutron’s Serena Shades are self-install smart shades that will extend, retract, or tilt at the touch of a button. They work with every major smart-home system and all the voice assistants through the wireless smart bridge provided by Lutron. This is a small device that plugs into the home’s router and lets you control your devices remotely.
