The number of 5G IoT (Internet of Things) connections will reach 116 million globally by 2026 from 17 million in 2023, a report from Juniper Research said.
The healthcare and smart cities market will account for over 60 percent of 5G IoT devices by 2026. The ultra-low latency and high bandwidth of 5G IoT technology will be the key factors in driving this proliferation of new connections.
5G networks will experience significant growth in smart city services; owing to its cost-effectiveness in deployment and ability to carry significant amounts of data. By 2026, there will be over 60 million 5G smart city connections. Monitoring of transportation networks, including road and rail networks, will be key services that require 5G-enabled high-bandwidth cellular connectivity.
Investment from healthcare providers into 5G-based services will be driven by the need to modernise services, as the global COVID-19 pandemic exposed inefficiencies in healthcare provision. Services including telemedicine, connected ambulances and emergency services, and real‑time remote monitoring are key services that will be immediately improved by the integration of 5G services.
“5G will enable efficient and dynamic healthcare provision that was not feasible with 4G or Wi-Fi. However, healthcare providers must first implement 5G in areas which provide a strong return on investment; most notably connected emergency services,” Juniper Research co-author Olivia Williams said.
