BRITISH COLUMBIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
What is 5G technology and how will it change the world?

From transforming healthcare services to autonomous cars, the term 5G' has been associated with a spectrum of opportunities across industries. So, what exactly is 5G and how does it affect our world?

According to BCIT Telecommunications Systems Technician Instructor Mike Lowe, 5G is the 5^th generational mobile network. This new global wireless standard is a generational upgrade to the cellular network that will allow for faster, more reliable and efficient high speed data to operate wireless systems in telecommunications. It will enable a new kind of network that virtually connects everyone and everything together in a more uniform way.

The impact of 5G across industries

As the world is developing new technologies requiring wireless systems, there is a greater need for high speed data to support these technologies. The high speed, ubiquity, reliability, and low latency of 5G expands the mobile ecosystem to new industries and possibilities, including:

• Vehicle communications - allowing for autonomous driven vehicles to have safe and reliable data to operate.
• Healthcare - enabling machine-to-machine communications, such as a surgeon performing a surgery remotely using 5G connection.
• Internet of Things (IoT) - this is "everything connected to the internet" but with a focus to support the connectivity of communication between those items connected to the internet, such as smart plugs, home security monitors and smart speakers.
• Tracking - allowing consumers to track packages in real time.
• Smart cities and buildings - buildings with features that monitor air quality, manage power use, and even technologies to identify when garbage pick-up is required.

Now, with the rollout of 5G underway, the telecommunications industry in Canada expects to see an economic lift, which includes thousands of new jobs.

Preparing for a career in 5G

As industries prepare for changes brought upon by 5G, businesses are looking skilled telecommunications professionals to support them in adopting this new technology.

The BCIT Telecommunications Systems Technician program delivers practical, applied training for work in the telecommunications industry including 5G, wireless communications, radio frequencies, fibre optics, data communications, and more. Students in this two-year program have opportunities to build industry connections and to choose from two specialization options - Telecommunications Networks and Radio Systems.