The pace at which technological advancements have been taking place in recent years are strikingly rapid, especially in the field of wireless technology. From phones that bend, to smart TVs, to bulbs that let you download a 300GB file in less than 5 seconds, advancements in technology are taking place at a blistering pace. Businesses in emerging markets especially need to keep up-to-date with these changes especially in R&D and technical support.
Wireless technologies don’t have to be too complex to make an impact. Take for instance, a simple SMS notification system in India used through an initiative called the Self-Employed Women’s Association that has connected over 1 million workers. They work hand in hand to bypass infrastructure and inherent social-economic limitations to earn higher incomes through diversification. The Self-Employed Women’s Association initiative sends members daily SMSs, providing information on the best places to sell their produce.
Wireless technology is a valuable tool to businesses. By looking at such diverse developments such as the use of drone technology and wireless networking standards, wireless continues to offer solutions for businesses helping towards efficiency, competitive advantages and providing great savings.
Drones Hit New Heights
A good example of the varying uses of wireless technology is with the drastic uptake of drones, devices which are set to greatly impact businesses across industries. The drone has over the recent past proved to be an essential device for both government agencies and commercial enterprises. Other than use in military combat and surveillance, drones are useful for civilian emergency search and rescue operations. These flying bots are said to be faster and more precise in locating accident survivors than helicopter response units. These unmanned wireless devices can also help police in dealing with traffic congestion in cities as well as help maintain law and order through surveillance.
Drones have revolutionized aerial photography making it easy to take 3D shots of buildings, landmarks as well as real estate. Organizations are also looking into how drone technology can be used effectively in delivering mail and small delivery packages. Further use of drones is exemplified in areas such as mapping, surveying, monitoring of big farms and inspections of power lines and huge turbines. In some developing countries, drones drop medical equipment and supplies to remote areas, all with through the support of wireless technology.
Wi-Fi and Li-Fi
Another milestone in wireless technology after Wi-Fi is Li-Fi. In early 2012, Professor Harald Hass founded a company called Pure Li-Fi that spearheaded the development for a LI-Fi prototype. Li-Fi is 100 times faster than Wi-Fi and much safer since it uses illumination to transmit data. The technology is simple; use of a small microchip on an illumination device (LED Bulb) to transmit data. However, unlike Wi-Fi, Li-Fi cannot penetrate opaque objects like walls, which has the effect of increasing data security by limiting any outside users from accessing the network.
Drones are a definite game changer with huge potential for future wireless growth markets. Usage of these unmanned aircraft systems will definitely continue to feature in business with data from Teal Group indicating that by 2025, drone spending will peak at over $10 billion. Drones are shown be faster, safer, flexible and less costly. Businesses should strategically position themselves in the market to take advantage of these kinds of wireless devices as well as other wireless solutions.
Businesses need to take advantage of these wireless technological changes in order to stay competitive as well as capture new markets. And here’s how business can adopt some of these technologies.
Shift Toward Data
The demand for Wi-Fi-enabled products by firms has grown exponentially over the last 5 years. In fact Cisco’s Visual Networking Index predicts that by 2020 more 60% of all devices connected to mobile networks will be smart devices and generate 800% more traffic than generated in 2015. Businesses need to be proactive in this changing environment. More companies are using mobile-friendly websites and building mobile apps to reach customers.
Companies should invest in how to incorporate wireless technology into network design and planning to anticipate customer needs to gain an edge over competitors. Planning helps to map out a strategy to expand customer base and capture new markets based on trend data.
The few examples listed above are just the tip of the iceberg. There are lots of new innovations and technologies that can positively impact businesses. New technologies should be researched and embraced by businesses seeking competitive advantage. Here are some interesting developments to keep an eye on in the near future:
• More adaptation to Internet of Things (IoT)
• Demand for high-speed data and large network capacity
• Smart Wi-Fi Routers with up to 10,000 feet range
• 5G is set to either replace or complement 4G
• Development of 2000MHz Spectrum
• Mobile Microscopy for early Disease Diagnosis
