• Statistics predict 5G networks will be in full use by the end of the year 2020, over 1 billion users connected to this technology by 2025
  • 5G poised to have a great impact on the live and digital experience of the events industry
  • 5G networks could run up to 1,000 times faster than current 4G/LTE networks

Fifth-generation mobile networks often referred to as “first truly global network” is not just the next version of mobile communication evolving from its previous iterations (3G, 4G etc) but it will connect together multiple existing tech and future standards. It is rightly said the future of mobile connectivity is almost here and it’s going to be more efficient in terms of speed, lower latency, increased bandwidth and increased network coverage thus being even more transformative than we could ever imagine. The arrival of 5G networks will finally be a reality in a few countries around the world and statistics predict 5G networks will be in full use by the end of this year 2020, with over 1 billion users connected to this technology by 2025.

5G will impact every industry, making safer transportation, remote healthcare, precision agriculture, digitized logistics a reality and will have an impact on the live and digital experience of the events industry too. With the increased levels of connectivity predicted in the events industry, dynamic content will be easily accessible, offering brands unique and innovative ways to interact with wider audiences as we know the more interactive and shareable the content is, the greater the opportunity to increase brand engagement and promotion.

Let’s take a look at an overview of how this technology will transform the different elements of the events industry as a whole:

With the growing need for more live-streamed events, multi-platform and global online events, and better quality video, AR and VR content as part of an events package, 5G will certainly have an impact far beyond just the increased connectivity, it will bring about a new horizon of opportunity within the event industry, allowing increased levels of fluidity and customisation of the relationship the industry has with technology.

Lightning-Fast Speed:

As the world of events becomes ever more global and interconnected via the internet and mobile devices harnessing the power of cutting edge technology and with download speeds of around 1GBps set to be the new standard, the amount of space this will create will cause a huge boost in the information world which will be phenomenal. Connectivity is set to be increased to levels that will allow large, multi-platform sharing on a scale never seen earlier, and could eliminate the need for WiFi at events entirely. With this additional boost in the speed of mobile connectivity will act as a catalyst for new events technologies that we can currently only imagine.

Seamless Live-Streaming:

5G networks are expected to work at lightning speed – in fact, 5G networks could run up to 1,000 times faster than current 4G/LTE networks, event organisers and event tech managers are already putting the wheels in action for new possibilities in the field of live streaming this will mean improved streaming services and new ways to provide streamed events to distant viewers.

Significant Leaps in AR and VR technology:

With the advent of this network with Increased bandwidth and reduced latency, there are greater possibilities of including technologies such as AR (Augmented Reality) and VR (Virtual Reality)  in the context of an event. The higher bandwidth which 5G  will be delivering to the events industry means that mobile networks will surpass at delivering live and virtual reality streams from life experiences, while also allowing complex digital information to be superimposed over live images.

Ample Opportunities for Event Attendees:

5G can significantly improve on current network services because of its ability to support events in remote locations, faster data transfer, and improved graphics and streaming, attendees will have more value and viable experience. Already, events employ many technological innovations including from pre-ordering refreshments to curating the ultimate festival experience for social media, event attendees will be offered smarter, better-curated events that can be reached through their mobile phone.

Enhanced Security:

The ability to respond quickly and communicate efficiently will help 5G networks effective communication in the state of an emergency, devices can be optimized to analyze security threats easier and faster.

There’s a lot to look forward to once 5G moves from trials to commercialization as it is poised to unlock new possibilities for the Event business. With this bright new future of 5G network connectivity, it is set to transform the world to take the next leap forward into new and exciting avenues that will transform the current way we organise events.

So, it’s now down to events managers and events technology firms to start outlining how to set this major shift into action as 5G begins its marketplace roll out, events strategists are being urged to start planning now for the ways they can benefit from the new technology and plan how it can be used to increase the experience of event attendees and the logistics of setting the event up in the first place.