As we head into our 10th month of working from home, it is hard to deny the way we work has changed and continues to change as we move through each month. The pandemic is not the only cause of the shift to remote work though. For years, businesses have started to look for the best talent regardless of the distance, and with each technological advancement, an office-space becomes less and less essential. The next big tech trend expected to change the way we work is 5G.

5G stands for “fifth generation” and is the latest generation in a series that started with 1G, the analog cellular technology. 5G delivers fiber-level speed, moves more data, allows more devices to be connected, plays higher resolution videos, allows for large IoT networks, and enables the use of Artificial Intelligence and Augmented Reality.

5G is expected to help businesses of all sizes increase their capability and allow them to accomplish more in a shorter period. Here are four ways 5G helps businesses:

Productivity and Efficiency

Anyone who has worked from home has probably experienced lagging and delays. Waiting for a document to load, a virtual call to connect, or a slideshow to share is annoying and cuts productivity. A fast network sends documents instantaneously, downloads videos in seconds, and supports glitch-free video calls. Overall, a fast network improves productivity and efficiency for every business.

5G has an increased capacity across a larger frequency which allows for higher speeds compared to earlier networks, like 4G. Having increased speeds means all employees will be able to work remotely with little to no delays. On 4G employees connect to an Ethernet cable or access personal or public WI-Fi to complete work. 5G lets companies upload all their data to a cloud-based, cellular-distribution network and employees will be able to easily access the data by connecting to a modem.

Functionality

Not knowing when they will be back in the office, many businesses have developed alternative ways to work remotely. For some, this can be completed easily. For highly collaborative and hands-on jobs, it is difficult. Collaborative jobs will benefit from 5G since the network will make it easier to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Augmented Reality (AR) to bring people together.

Recently, businesses have used AR technology to help remote employees work in a shared virtual space, and virtually look at the same object. AI has similarly been used to make working from home easier through the use of Chatbots and automated IT systems. A 4G network limits the use of AI and AR tools, and many businesses cannot utilize the tools. Once 5G is rolled-out on a wide scale, more companies will be able to benefit from AI and AR

Customer Services

As more brands rely on e-commerce, and less on brick-and-mortar sales, providing quality customer service has become harder. Fast shipping, quick response times, and a good return policy are a few ways companies can provide good service. 5G networks will enhance their abilities.

5G networks increase the speed and accessibility of websites and allow customers to experience the products virtually. Top-grossing brands, like Amazon and Gucci, use AI to let consumers “try on” products or view items in their homes. As AI becomes more accessible, more retail brands will be able to implement the tech on their sites.

Onboarding

Over the last nine months, businesses adapted their hiring and training strategies to accommodate remote workers. When you are training people remotely, a good internet connection and high bandwidth can make a huge difference. Remote training needs to be perfected to maintain an efficient work-from-home system. 5G will help create a better remote training experience by making it easier to send documents and get rid of spotty video calls. Another exciting point is the use of AI. Since 5G will make AI technologies more accessible, companies will be able to create immersive training experiences.