Level the 5G Playing Field

Leverage Different and Powerful Partnerships 

If you want to understand the significance of the approaching 5G revolution, just consider the numbers. Over the next decade, 5G deployment could contribute up to $1.7 trillion to the US GDP and create about 4 million jobs, according to consulting firm BCG.¹ 

In telecom, 5G isn’t just going to change the rules of the game, it’s going to take it to an entirely different playing field. Those who make the right investments now will realize an outsized share of future gains. But it takes a willingness to embrace a new mindset, new partners, and new technology. 

GIS data, for example, has historically enabled telecom providers to plan routes and fiber networks. It’s an accurate way to map their above-ground and in-ground assets to make sure they have up-to-date information and unobstructed pathways. But in an era defined by 5G, telecom companies need to reimagine their networks to densify to the necessary degree. And that creates an even bigger opportunity for those who use GIS data—in the right ways.

5 Questions 

As telecom leaders navigate this dynamic moment, a strong GIS strategy can help them grow. If you’re looking for a GIS partner, these 5 questions can help you find your match.

1. How Can You Help Me Succeed in a 5G World? 
Think of it this way: in the mobile era of yesteryear, data traveled like sound waves. But in a 5G environment, data travels more like a light wave. That means line-of-sight matters more than building materials. It also means networks are in a race to deploy 100 times the number of 5G towers because 5G waves don’t travel as far and can’t pass through obstructions. To ensure both coverage and capacity, those towers need to go up all over, including in congested downtown areas.

Old-school RF propagation tools may have been effective enough at planning networks in 3G and 4G environments. But newer GIS technology that offers aerial imagery and data insights is needed to meet the kind of density 5G demands. 

2. Just How Fresh and Accurate is Your Imagery?
In a 5G universe, data that isn’t constantly updated and 99% accurate is irrelevant. Especially in an increasingly dense environment, providers need to know exactly what’s surrounding their assets—or potential assets—at all times. The only way to achieve that level of freshness is through a subscription GIS service that’s uploading new data all the time. The ideal GIS partner publishes fresh imagery of our coverage areas in the cloud multiple times a year, so customers always have an up-to-date view of what’s truly on the ground. 

One company, Nearmap, ensures that data is accurate within ⅛ of a cm, which ensures telecom companies know exactly which poles have space to mount gear and where exactly those poles are located. 

3. Can You Support Me Through a Crisis?
Getting a network up and running is just the first step. What makes the difference between winners and losers is maintenance. As savvy telecom leaders know, customers who can’t get service in a hurricane or natural disaster switch to someone else. And in a 5G-dominated world, even a single wet leaf can disrupt a signal. 

In a disaster, continually updated and highly accurate GIS data ensures that telecom providers can swiftly deploy crews to make necessary repairs and fortify the network.