When we are talking about probable scenarios, we are talking about occurrences within the next 5 years. Between now and the next 5 years we expect more implementation of various technologies. C-band will increase the speed of 5G networks in the U.S. The overall market share of 5G will increase as well. Implementation and the overall roll out of 5G was slow and first but will pick up more in the during these years. Edge computing will continue to be used by developers for developing smart machinery and IoT devices. Augmented Reality will see the most growth during this 5-year period. Its usage for training will grow in multiple fields. Investments and research into quantum computing will continue.
Plausible (2027-2032)
After the five-year period there should be even more occurrences and advancements. 5G will have most if not all of the market during this time period. It will have transformed a lot of industries through its connective and the technology it enables. For example, in the manufacturing industry we will see 5G enabled cobots throughout the industry. The 5G makes the cobots work better and mitigate the risk. In the healthcare field, we will see 5G connected Ambulances. 5G overall will have increased healthcare and emergency services a lot. Augmented Reality usage will be better by medical professionals with 5G due to the reduction of lagging and faster internet speed. Overall communication, feedback, and detection will be a lot faster thus meaning more lives will be saved and protected. Towards the end of this time period, 6G will be introduced as well. But it will not atomically replace 5G it will take some time takes be implemented just like 5G was.
Towards the end of this time period, we will also see the introduction of the first quantum computer. A lot of investments and research will have been made, and it will have finally paid off. That being said, still more work has to be done for it to be accessible and used throughout the world.
Possible (2032-2037)
During this time frame quantum computing will be present and used, however it will not be that accessible. It will be very expensive for the public to purchase a quantum computer. This is due to the amount of money and time that went into making a quantum computer, but also due to the many capabilities it has and opportunities it brings. It will be used by the government both at a federal level, but also at a local level. 6G will begin to grow and be implemented, however 5G will still be just as present and used. It is similar to how it currently is, with 5G growing and being implemented but 4G is still around. 3G currently has been completely phased out, and during this time period in the future 4G will be completely phased out. During this time period technological devices will be very advanced and innovative. Augmented reality will have grown a lot, it may be able to be used to simulate or re-stimulate events like reenacting crimes at crime scenes.
Prepare for these Scenarios
Thinking about the future and how you will prepare for it can be very scary and challenging. Ultimately trying to truly know the future is impossible, but there are ways to be prepared for it. One of the ways to be prepared for is through doing research. Reading the news and paying attention to the trends and developments that are occurring can really go a long way towards being prepared. Following something like 5G implementation and its progress will give you not only insight to how it impacts you currently but also how it will impact you in the future.
Another way to prepare for these scenarios is by simply just changing your mindset. You have to understand that “anything is possible” when it comes to technology and technological innovation, especially within telecommunications and computing. You have to be open-minded to all the technological changes occurring right now and the ones that can potentially occur. Many of the times where we are shocked or not prepared for something that occurs in the future it’s because did not believe it could happen. It stemmed from the fact that we brushed off as a silly idea or pipe dream. Being open-minded and open to the fact that technology has no limits will go a long way to being prepared for the future of telecommunications and computing.