The Impact of 5G Technology on Communication Infrastructure
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47941/jcomm.1655Keywords:
5G Technology, Communication Infrastructure, Telecommunication Impact, Network Evolution, Digital ConnectivityAbstract
Purpose: The main objective of this study was to investigate the impact of 5G technology on communication infrastructure.
Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive's time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library.
Findings: The findings revealed that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to the impact of 5G technology on communication infrastructure. Preliminary empirical review revealed that the significance of equitable access to 5G technology. As demonstrated, the adoption and impact of 5G can vary widely depending on factors such as geographic location, socioeconomic status, and cultural diversity. Bridging the digital divide and ensuring that underserved communities have access to advanced communication infrastructure remains a critical challenge. Policymakers, telecommunication companies, and community leaders must work collaboratively to address these disparities and ensure that the benefits of 5G are inclusive and accessible to all.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Diffusion of Innovations theory, Resource Dependency theory and the Structuration theory may be used to anchor future studies on 5G technology. The study emphasized the need for equitable expansion of 5G network coverage, particularly in underserved rural areas. Second, it calls for robust network security measures and data privacy regulations to safeguard user information. Third, the study promotes innovation and public-private partnerships to harness the full potential of 5G technology. Fourth, it highlights the importance of integrating 5G capabilities into disaster preparedness and response plans to enhance communication infrastructure resilience. Finally, the study stresses environmental sustainability by advocating for energy-efficient network components and eco-friendly deployment practices.
Downloads
References
Ahmed, M., Hu, J., Zhang, J., & Hashim, A. (2020). 5G-enabled smart cities: A comprehensive survey. IEEE Internet of Things Journal, 7(11), 10349-10383.
Alaba, O. A., Abiodun, A. J., Famewo, A., & Olaiya, M. O. (2021). Telemedicine adoption and healthcare infrastructure in Africa: A systematic review. Journal of Healthcare Engineering, 2021, 1-18.
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). (2021). 2021 Infrastructure Report Card. https://www.infrastructurereportcard.org/
Bhunu, V. B., & Osei, R. D. (2016). Rural road infrastructure and agricultural productivity in Ghana. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 11(42), 4264-4273.
Boccardi, F., Heath, R. W., Lozano, A., Marzetta, T. L., & Popovski, P. (2014). Five disruptive technology directions for 5G. IEEE Communications Magazine, 52(2), 74-80.
Brown, L., & Wilson, M. (2017). The Urban 5G Revolution: Transforming Communication Infrastructure in Cities. Urban Studies Journal, 39(2), 215-236.
Chen, X., & Kim, S. (2016). Securing 5G: Addressing the Challenges of Next-Generation Communication Infrastructure. Cybersecurity Journal, 12(4), 487-502.
Department for Education. (2021). Capital Funding for Schools and Colleges. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/capital-funding-for-schools
Department for Transport. (2020). Transport Infrastructure Investment. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/transport-infrastructure-investment
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2021). Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment. https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2021-03/documents/2021_dwinsa_report_to_congress.pdf
Giddens, A. (1984). The constitution of society: Outline of the theory of structuration. University of California Press.
GSMA. (2021). The mobile economy 2021. https://www.gsma.com/mobileeconomy/
Ikegami, N., & Campbell, J. C. (2020). The art of balance in health policy: Maintaining Japan's low-cost, egalitarian system. New England Journal of Medicine, 383(10), 919-922. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMp2009193
International Telecommunication Union (ITU). (2021). ITU releases 2020 global and regional ICT estimates. https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Pages/stat/default.aspx
Klein, S., & Müller, H. (2017). 5G technology and SME communication infrastructure in the European Union. Small Business Research, 45(6), 785-803.
MacNeill, S., & Troelsen, J. (2018). Community Infrastructure and the Role of Social Capital. Sustainability, 10(8), 2876. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10082876
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). (2020). Overview of public roads in Japan (as of the end of March 2020). https://www.mlit.go.jp/road/road_e/pdfs/H30_data.pdf
Mwamba, L., & Ngugi, P. (2020). 5G technology and education communication infrastructure in Sub-Saharan Africa. International Journal of Education Technology, 36(3), 301-318.
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). (2021). Condition of America's Public School Facilities: 2019-2020 (NCES 2021-099). https://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2021099
NHS Digital. (2020). NHS Infrastructure. https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/nhs-infrastructure
OECD. (2021). Health at a Glance 2021: OECD Indicators. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/82129230-en
Okazaki, T., & Nakaki, S. (2019). Progress of seismic design and retrofitting in Japan. Structures, 19, 73-80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2019.06.011
Patel, S., & Khan, A. (2019). 5G technology and healthcare communication infrastructure in South Asia. Journal of Health Informatics, 25(4), 241-260.
Pfeffer, J., & Salancik, G. R. (1978). The external control of organizations: A resource dependence perspective. Stanford University Press.
Rogers, E. M. (1962). Diffusion of innovations. Free Press.
Sinha, P., & Patel, V. M. (2019). The role of 5G technology in making smart cities safer. IEEE Access, 7, 158426-158440.
Tanaka, H., & Yamamoto, S. (2019). Disaster management communication infrastructure and 5G technology in Japan. Disaster Studies, 41(1), 87-105.
Wang, Q., & Li, M. (2018). 5G technology and smart city communication infrastructure in China. International Journal of Urban Planning, 33(2), 189-209.
World Bank. (2020). Physicians (per 1,000 people). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.MED.PHYS.ZS
World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme. (2021). Progress on household drinking water, sanitation and hygiene 2000-2020: Five years into the SDGs. https://www.wri.org/app/uploads/2021/05/Key-Findings-Updated-May-21-2021.pdf
Yamamoto, K., & Shoji, M. (2018). Long-term infrastructure investment and economic growth in Japan. Journal of Economic Structures, 7(1), 9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40008-018-0110-0
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Matt K. Nkrumah
![Creative Commons License](http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by/4.0/88x31.png)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.