There’s going to come a point in the not too distant future where 5G is the norm. With this will come the benefits of enhanced connectivity and improved digital collaboration. For many businesses within construction 5G also represents a lot of challenges. Digitisation has not come quickly to this industry with issues of connection and poor WiFi making it hard to integrate data and already low margins meaning there is little resource available for investment. However, if the obstacles to 5G can be overcome there are many positive benefits for construction as a whole as far as the impact of this next generation of connectivity is concerned.
- Data processing capability. 5G will result in a 100 fold increase in the amount of data that can be processed. There are a myriad of ways in which this could possibly impact construction businesses, including when it comes to tracking materials and co-ordinating deliveries. Real time interactions will make processes much more seamless.
- New and emerging technologies. The broader integration of 5G will also make it possible for many more businesses to integrate new and emerging technologies. For example, holographic visualisation could make virtual reality accessible on a daily basis, such as in identifying the dimensions of proposed excavations and also when it comes to facilitating remote inspections. Automation and machine learning could revolutionise sites with overnight deliveries received and moved into the right position by autonomous vehicles, saving time and manpower and improving productivity and efficiency.
- Improved health and safety. Wearable devices on the clothes and helmets of those working on-site will make it possible for real time data about the build to be transferred to those who are managing it. This kind of tech can also be used in the context of sensors that can trigger an alert of imminent danger and help to keep people safer on site. Sensors can even provide individual health alerts – for example, relating to blood pressure – and help to ensure that sites are social distancing compliant.
- Skills and accessibility. As the cost of technology comes down there will be many more opportunities for businesses within construction to take advantage of the ways in which 5G can have a positive impact. Sites could soon be set up to operate with much more tech in place thanks to 5G, from drones to cameras and sensors. However, it’s clear that this will also need to be supported by skills development and expert advice and funding, to ensure that construction businesses are able to optimise everything that 5G has to offer. Without that, the benefits of this new era of connectivity could feel out of reach for many.
5G has the potential to have a very positive impact on construction businesses, especially when it comes to facilitating the technology that could make sites safer and projects more efficient and cost effective. However, to a large extent this will depend on the investments that are made and the support that is available for acquiring the tech itself, as well as the skilled individuals who can use it.
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