A new report by Juniper Research predicts that the healthcare sector and smart city services will drive 5G IoT adoption by as much as 1,100% over the next three years.

The research examined 5G adoption across key sectors, such as the automotive industry, mobile broadband and smart homes, and forecasts that the healthcare and smart cities market will account for over 60% 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.

Smart Cities Offer the Single Biggest Opportunity for 5G IoT

The report anticipates that 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 globally, and the report urges city-planning authorities to leverage 5G connectivity as high-bandwidth gateways.

It found that the monitoring of transportation networks, including road and rail networks, will be key services that require 5G-enabled high-bandwidth cellular connectivity.

Digital Transformation in Healthcare Drives 5G Adoption

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.

Recommended

• How Will the Met Tower Redevelopment Add to Glasgow’s Tech Sector?
• Who Do British People Trust the Most and Least With Their Data?
• SBRC: Four-day Week Could Help Close Skills Gap

The report identified services including telemedicine, connected ambulances and emergency services, and real‑time remote monitoring as key services that will be immediately improved by the integration of 5G services.

Research co-author Olivia Williams commented: “5G will enable more 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.”

Get all the latest news from DIGIT direct to your inbox

Our newsletter covers the latest technology and IT news from Scotland and beyond, as well as in-depth features and exclusive interviews with leading figures and rising stars.

To subscribe, click here.