How to use new technologies for next-generation mobile phones to help make people's lives more convenient and fulfilling -- each telecommunications company should devote themselves to providing safe, inexpensive services.
In countries around the world, development of fifth-generation wireless communication technology is moving ahead. This technology standard is also called 5G.
At the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, a site where people can watch events broadcast in 5G high-resolution images was established in cooperation with major South Korean telecommunications companies. In Japan, the public and private sectors aim to launch a similar service in 2020 -- the year of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.
5G wireless networks' transmission speeds are up to 100 times faster than current networks. The number of mobile devices capable of simultaneously transmitting and receiving data in certain regions will increase dramatically.
Use of 5G technology will not be limited to smartphones. If various companies work together to create new businesses, it could trigger economic rejuvenation.
For example, self-driving vehicles need to take in data about traffic lights, road conditions and other information in real time. Cooperation between automakers developing these vehicles, mobile network carriers providing the telecommunications infrastructure and other companies will be vital.
Use of the 5G network also looks promising in the medical field. By using smartphones, patients in mountainous areas or remote islands could receive checkups featuring clear images by specialist doctors, and during a disaster it will be possible to provide first-aid treatment while receiving instructions from a doctor.
Address threat of hacks
One worry is that as familiar products and services become widely connected to internet networks, they will face increasing security risks, such as cyber-attacks.
Many observers have pointed out the dangers of self-driving vehicles malfunctioning due to an attack by hackers, or of patient information being leaked during data transmission.
This new technology, designed to make daily life more convenient and provide peace of mind, would be pointless if it ends up posing a threat to people instead.
It is essential that the creation of new telecommunications standards and the development of devices and communication equipment moves ahead while giving proper consideration to the safety of users.
Some people have pointed out that Japanese companies are lagging in the development of communication devices capable of using the 5G network. Japanese firms that previously were market leaders will hopefully make up this lost ground.
Many users of Japan's mobile phone services have been deeply dissatisfied with the complicated contracts and relatively expensive charges. The ongoing oligopoly among three companies -- NTT Docomo Inc., KDDI Corp. (the operator of au services), and SoftBank Corp. -- seems to be a major reason for this sentiment.
The 5G network will require huge investments to establish base stations and other equipment. There are lingering concerns this could lead to rising phone charges.
In 2019, online retail giant Rakuten Inc. will build its own mobile network to provide mobile phone services under the current telecommunications standards. This is expected to boost market competition and keep phone bills down.
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 16, 2018)
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
