The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light how vital reliable internet connections are for conducting business and staying connected with loved ones. Unfortunately, due to a lack of infrastructure in many parts of the world, almost 3 billion people remain disconnected from this essential resource. However, one potential solution is 5G fixed wireless access (FWA). 5G FWA offers a more affordable alternative to fiber networks, as it can provide connection quality similar to that of a fiber network but at a much lower cost – and deployment time – thanks to its advanced capabilities such as mmWave technology. 5G FWA allows for faster data speeds than other forms of connectivity, enabling activities such as video streaming with practically no latency or buffering issues.
This would be especially beneficial to individuals in underserved areas who likely don’t have access to a reliable broadband connection. It could also help businesses increase productivity by providing them with enhanced digital capabilities and real-time insights into customer behaviors and market trends. Qualcomm estimates that closing the global digital divide could increase GDP per capita by 2.5 percent by 2032. This would benefit disadvantaged populations not only in terms of providing better access to education and financial inclusion opportunities, but also in economic growth for their respective countries. For example, it could lead to improved job opportunities when businesses take advantage of technological advancements made possible by 5G FWA solutions. In Italy for example, public-private collaborations have already been implemented on global digital literacy goals such as using virtual reality tools powered by 5G FWA solutions in schools.
These initiatives demonstrate how powerful these tools can be if utilized properly — allowing educators the opportunity to teach students more efficiently regardless of their location or socio-economic status. Overall, 5G FWA presents an excellent opportunity to bridge the global digital divide, allowing greater connectivity which will lead to increased social and economic growth around the world. The improved internet connectivity resulting from initiatives like this could make our lives much easier: from being able to work remotely or engage with people across cultures and countries virtually, upskilling oneself while saving costs on travel expenses globally — even creating entire new industries enabled through technologies such as autonomous vehicles or machine learning services heavily reliant on ultra fast data transfer speeds that only 5G can provide. Good infrastructure is a key enabler towards driving success in today’s economy and 5G FWA can play an important part towards helping achieve that goal worldwide