By 2025, nearly 75% of the global population, and almost all smartphone users, will be frequent users of augmented reality (AR), according to Deloitte.
Technological advancements have significantly impacted our lifestyles, demanding faster connectivity and enhanced user experiences. This innovation has propelled us to a new age of technology where the virtual and physical collide, revolutionizing how we perceive reality.
The synergy of 5G and AR will present a myriad of possibilities, significantly impacting the world’s modern lifestyle through the continuous integration of technology into various fields including communication, work, education, and entertainment.
A More Sophisticated Lifestyle
The advent of new technologies, such as 5G, constantly reshapes our lifestyle, introducing us to a world where almost everything is within reach. From faster speeds and lower latency to better connectivity and expanded access to online services, 5G has significantly improved our lives.
5G technology has paved the way for the rise of AR, blending the virtual with the physical world and providing users with a realistic feel through advanced imaging. This revolutionary advancement allows virtual images, data, and information to be overlaid in a physical environment, generating a more immersive experience.
Powered by 5G, AR technology can seamlessly incorporate digital information, such as illustrations and sounds, into the physical world in real time through mobile device cameras or AR headsets.
Leveraging the benefits of 5G and AR, people’s lifestyles will gain a sophisticated upgrade, elevating daily interactions to new heights and creating innovative solutions to bridge the gap left by previous network generations.
According to PwC, AR will continue to provide the biggest benefits to global gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030, accounting for GBP 985 billion.
The demand for better lifestyles has made AR an effective tool in innovative experiences, improving user experiences online. Its impact on customer engagement proves its profound influence in transforming business interactions.
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Applications of 5G and Augmented Reality
5G and AR are poised to revolutionize various industries including telecommunications, education, healthcare, gaming, entertainment, and retail.
With 5G driving high-speed connectivity, lower latency, and increased data rates required for seamless AR experiences, industries can facilitate engaging experiences. AR’s ability to captivate attention and stimulate the senses will revolutionize human interaction in the digital realm, creating a more dynamic intuitive engagement.
This technological advancement will usher us into the metaverse, a virtually enhanced and shared space with a touch of physical reality, often described as the next iteration of the internet. Users can gain immersive experiences with their avatars, interact with each other, and build a community on the platform in real time.
Remote collaboration allows for seamless engagement between teams regardless of their geographical limitations. AR in 5G permits users to visualize and navigate intricate data and settings more creatively and interactively.
Moreover, 5G and AR are set to revolutionize mobile applications and increase customer satisfaction. In some cases, applications let customers virtually place a product in the desired area, visualizing its realistic feel before finally purchasing. Some businesses also apply AR to craft virtual fittings, providing digital try-on experiences.
When asked what innovative technologies are being harnessed by Talia, Floyd Turner, VP of Global Service Delivery Operations, said, “Technologies such as AI, IoT, augmented and mixed realities, and robotic process automation are incorporated into our services, transforming them from reactive to proactive monitoring.
“By combining these advanced technologies, we ensure that our field services and network management help-desk solutions are seamlessly integrated. This results in high service availability and quality, delivered through a comprehensive, full-solution approach that goes beyond isolated service points.”
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5G and AR in the Telecom Industry
The telecom industry stands at the frontier of technological innovation, ushering in the transition of traditional communications into digital interactions. The advent of the latest generation of networks, 5G, has revolutionized the industry, particularly in network coverage, speed, and latency, which are crucial for AR applications.
Driven by 5G, AR has materialized as a pivotal instrument in the pursuit of advancing the digital landscape, offering opportunities to transform telecommunication services.
AR’s revolutionary potential will drive interactive demonstration of products and services and support for backend operations, allowing customers to explore offerings in the telecom industry.
Furthermore, telecom businesses can leverage AR for customer support and troubleshooting, reforming network maintenance, and infrastructure management. Real-time assistance from remote experts will be made possible, reducing the need for on-site visitations and enhancing operational efficiency.
AR can assist with maintenance by overlaying digital information into the physical infrastructure. This feature will provide a realistic and risk-free environment as well for training and simulation of telecommunication industry professionals in the field, allowing them to practice their skills and procedures in a controlled situation.
Zain KSA and Nokia are at the forefront of leveraging augmented reality (AR) by developing 5G Cloud RAN solutions that promise to enhance connectivity and support immersive AR experiences. This collaboration aims to utilize the high-speed, low-latency capabilities of 5G to deliver seamless AR applications, which can transform industries such as entertainment, education, and healthcare.
Ooredoo Kuwait is making significant strides in the field of AR through its breakthrough with 5G-Advanced mmWave technology. This advancement not only boosts network performance but also supports the delivery of immersive fan experiences through AR. For instance, during live sports events or concerts, fans can use AR to access real-time statistics, player information, and interactive content, enhancing their overall experience. The high bandwidth and low latency of 5G-Advanced mmWave make it possible to deliver these rich, interactive AR applications without any lag, providing users with a more engaging and dynamic experience.
In the UAE, du is propelling connectivity to new heights by integrating AR and VR into various sectors, including education and finance. In virtual classrooms, AR and VR are used to create interactive and engaging learning environments that captivate students and enhance their understanding of complex subjects. This technology allows for virtual field trips, 3D visualizations, and interactive simulations that make learning more immersive and effective. In the finance sector, AR is empowering digital banking by capturing and analyzing vast amounts of data to offer personalized, targeted products to clients. This precision in product delivery increases conversion rates by ensuring that customers receive the right product at the right time, enhancing their banking experience.
Huawei's GigaGreen initiative is another example of how companies are leveraging AR in the evolving landscape of 5G. Anticipating a wide range of services and applications, GigaGreen supports cloud-based AR, which allows users to access AR applications without the need for powerful local processing capabilities. This cloud-based approach makes AR more accessible and scalable, enabling a broader range of applications, from cloud gaming to industrial maintenance and remote collaboration.
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The Future is Now
The advancements in mobile devices and AR technology, such as ARkit and ARCore, have made AR accessible to people worldwide. Technology behemoth, Microsoft, launched HoloLens, an AR/mixed reality (MR) device that blends virtual content with the physical world and offers hands-free AR experiences.
According to Starlink Qatar, AR technology is expected to grow at a compound annual rate (CAGR) of 39.8% from 2023 to 2030.
In pursuit of global AR advancement, American technology giant, Google, developed ARCore as an innovative platform to build augmented reality experiences. By leveraging application programming interfaces (APIs), ARCore enables devices to sense their environment and interact using the information collected.
Powered by ARCore, Google introduced Geospatial AR Content in 2023, which allows the creation of AR experiences, revolutionizing content creation.
Furthermore, Geospatial AR Content in Google Maps was integrated by Google this year to enhance remote real-time experiences in specific map locations. Users can experience this advancement through Google Maps with Lens in Maps technology or street view.
Meanwhile, multinational technology company, Apple, has brought AR experiences to life with frameworks such as ARKit and RealityKit, and creative tools like Reality Composer and Reality Converter, amplifying users’ AR experiences.
Apple’s AR Quick Look, powered by ARKit, allows the placing of 3D objects in the physical world, enhancing interactive experiences and control on their devices.
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Final Thoughts
5G and AR hold immense potential to boost the economy and society, particularly in digital transformation, delivering exceptional user experiences while driving innovation and productivity.
These technological leaps are reshaping the way we live and interact with the world, significantly merging two worlds into one. The transformational potential of the new technologies will bring connectivity and immersive experiences to new heights, massively improving people’s lifestyles.
5G has already propelled AR into enhanced opportunities, enabling seamless digital transformations. However, continuous technological advancements will usher AR into endless possibilities, transforming the world with improved connection and sophistication.
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