5G, the fifth generation of wireless cellular networks, is eventually expected to boast speeds close to 100 times as fast as today’s 4G networks. Today, 5G connectivity in the U.S. has been rolled out only in certain cities, underwhelming users in contrast with the amount of rave publicity it has been receiving. In other words, Tupac Shakur fans will need to continue waiting for their personal usage of 5G produced Coachella holograms. Sorry Gen Z.
Like blockchain, ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, and other newly adopted cutting-edge technologies, most new technologies begin to receive large volumes of hype and attention as they hit the market, but more often than not, are adopted slower than expected by initial users. Why is this? In the case of 5G, it helps to know how it differs from its predecessor, 4G.
A retired Electrical Engineer (who happens to be my father) educated me the other day on why he believes this happens, particularly in relation to 5G. His explanation started with a proverb along the lines of “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it,” but sooner than later, provided additional useful technical insights on 5G, its limits, and its strengths.
See, 5G uses higher radio frequencies that do not have the ability to penetrate solid objects such as vehicles, buildings, or even trees, as lower frequencies do. Thus, for 5G to work more efficiently and in a cost-effective manner, 5G mini-towers would need to be built every few hundred feet and run at higher radio frequency power levels to be able to penetrate your home or apartment. As I write this article from my office in downtown Manhattan, I can’t help but wonder where these mini-towers would situate themselves.
But why do I need 5G?
In a future reality, those higher radio frequency waves I just mentioned eventually reach your 5G powered, artificially intelligent Assistant Amazon Alexandra, reverberating your beloved ‘top-played’ 80s pop playlist at 100 times the speed of 4G, as you do The Cabbage Patch with your virtual reality dance partner Lionel, a vastly realistic hologram. “Play Like a Prayer Alexandra!” You bellow in a shallow exhale of hot breath. “Thank goodness for 5G Alexandra and Lionel. Where would I be without it!”
Do you know how much time you would save if your Amazon Alexandra and virtual reality dance partner were powered by 5G?
I’ll stop being flippant… do you really need 5G? Maybe holograms and artificially intelligent robots are teasing examples, but you catch my drift. “Why fix what ain’t broken?”
In a recent interview with Angus Loten of The Wall Street Journal, Rajeev Gollarahalli, chief business officer at 42Q, a cloud-services subsidiary of Sanmina Corp., said that 5G is “still in its infancy,” adding that organizations are working to figure out its value proposition for their specific line of business.
In my eyes, 5G is a solution still looking for a problem, and will take years to mature to the point where it financially makes sense. The applicability makes it clear that 5G is here for the long-term, but the timing is highly uncertain. As it is now only available in a handful of cities nationally, the technology is still evolving, with many experts predicting 2-3 years before “true” 5G services materialize.
How does 5G tie into recruitment?
You may be asking yourself this after stumbling upon this post. Well, to put it simply, not much… 5G shouldn’t make a huge difference in the processes inherently instilled within recruitment. However, with recruiting being an industry built on dealing with people and building and maintaining, oftentimes, long distance relationships, 5G will drastically increase the speed and reliability of wireless internet and mobile devices, arguably two of the most important tools needed to “get in contact” and “keep in touch” (besides a brain, of course).
5G will allow for head-hunters to work seamlessly with clients and candidates when located in more rural areas, allowing those who are not working directly in cities regarded as industry hubs, to interact flawlessly through video conferences and telephone calls.
During a time where WORK/LIFE BALANCE is a prevalent topic of conversation within many corporations and organizations, 5G may be the technology that stimulates the world-wide dissemination of telecommuting. Goodbye brick & mortars, hello endless opportunities.
The question remains, will 5G really be a market disruptor in recruitment? Well, we’ll find out in 2020. In the meantime, I’ll continue dreaming of the day that I’m sitting sun kissed with my toes in the sand, 5G applicable phone in my hand, as I tell a lucky candidate that they just received an offer of a lifetime. Nothing like sending an invoice in your flip-flops.
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