Abstract
This chapter looks at the future for wireless communications. It is an area that has seen huge change and innovation over the last few decades and has become deeply embedded in all our lives. In this chapter we ask whether further change is likely and what this might mean for us all.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Notes
- 1.
For the most widely used discussion of data rate growth and predictions of the future, see the Cisco Virtual Networking Index at https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/service-provider/visual-networking-index-vni/index.html
- 2.
The GSMA provides a view on aspects such as APRUs, network expenditure and more at https://www.gsma.com/mobileeconomy/
- 3.
William Webb, “The 5G Myth”, 2016, Amazon
- 4.
Moore’s Law predicts that the number of transistors on a chip doubles about every 18 months, resulting in ever more capable devices.
- 5.
While there is debate, see sources such as https://www.technologyreview.com/s/601441/moores-law-is-dead-now-what/ and others that set out the need for new types of innovation if progress in chip performance is to continue.
- 6.
Latency is the time taken to send a message into the network and get back a response. It is critical where there is rapid interactivity such as in some forms of gaming.
- 7.
- 8.
See “The 5G Myth” for more details on this.
- 9.
Project-Fi offers subscribers a cellular-like service. Google steer traffic towards Wi-Fi hotspots as far as possible, with fallback to two different US operators (Sprint and T-Mobile) where there is no Wi-Fi coverage. As a result, subscriptions can be cheaper and coverage and quality better. At present, this is only available in the United States.
- 10.
- 11.
- 12.
At the time of writing Sprint and T-Mobile in the United States were in merger discussions.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Webb, W. (2019). Wireless Comms. Beyond 2020. In: Dastbaz, M., Cochrane, P. (eds) Industry 4.0 and Engineering for a Sustainable Future. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-12953-8_4
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-12953-8_4
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-12952-1
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-12953-8
eBook Packages: EnergyEnergy (R0)