DIGITAL INTERACTIVE SERVICES
The evolution of digital interactive services: From dial-up to 5G
In less than half a century, digital interactive services have witnessed unprecedented innovation. The transition from archaic dial-up connections to the evolution of 5G networks has not only enabled faster data transfer but has completely reshaped the way we work, connect, and interact with the world around us.
Each generation of digital technology is built upon the previous one, pushing boundaries and enabling more seamless communication than its predecessors. We are now in an era where digital communication transcends all time, space, and demographic barriers and affords limitless connectivity.
This blog explores the key milestones in this fascinating journey of digital interactivity.
The evolution of digital interactive services
In the 1980s, the internet was restricted to the academic and corporate domains and depended on specialised equipment and expertise. Dial-up services democratised the process by taking the internet to people’s homes. Mobile networks went a step further to provide anytime, anywhere internet access.
Below is an overview of the major advancements that shaped the digital landscape, from dial-up to 5G technology evolution.
- Dial-up internet
- Broadband
- 2G and 3G mobile internet
- 4G internet
- 5G internet
Dial-up internet was a pathbreaking innovation in the 1990s, offering widespread access to email and basic web browsing. It involved using a modem and a telephone line provided by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) to establish a connection.
Dial-up networks revolutionised information sharing, enabled the giant leap from snail mail to email and chat, and laid the foundation for a ‘digital culture’ as we know it today.
On the downside, the tie-up with a landline meant that users could not stay connected to the internet and make a phone call simultaneously – it had to be one of the two.
Speed, too, was a significant issue. The maximum speed that late 90s’ users could expect was 56Kbps, which made downloading large files and accessing image-rich websites slow and frustrating.
Broadband replaced the dial-up connection in the early 2000s. Through technologies like DSL, cable, and fibre-optic networks, it enabled faster data transmission and facilitated large file downloads, gaming, and media streaming. This opened up new possibilities in entertainment, communication, and e-commerce.
Broadband networks later paved the way for cloud computing, video conferencing, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
The advent of smartphones with second-generation (2G) and third-generation (3G) internet technology brought connectivity to our pockets. 3G networks, especially, were pivotal in enabling new-age digital functionalities, such as GPS tracking, unified communications, and multimedia streaming on mobile devices.
3G facilitated the development of customer-centric mobile applications and online services, inherently changing how people worked, shopped, travelled, and consumed entertainment.
Compared to 3G, 4G was a quantum jump in data speed, network capacity, and capabilities. Two key features of 4G are Long-Term Evolution (LTE) technology and Internet Protocol (IP) architecture, which allow for speeds up to 100 Mbps, low latency, and seamless global connectivity.
4G internet has impacted digital business services worldwide. By enabling high-quality HD streaming, remote collaboration, and immersive technologies, 4G ushered in the era of hyper-personalised consumer experiences.
More importantly, it laid the groundwork for the evolution and deployment of 5G technology.
5G, the fifth and newest generation of wireless technology, far surpasses its predecessors in speed, capacity, reliability, sustainability, and more.
Although not mainstream yet, 5G technology has already started to restructure every aspect of life and work. With 5G, the average mobile phone user can soon expect speeds of 10,000 Mbps or more, up to 100 times faster than 4G.
How 5G technology evolution is transforming lives and work practices?
With unparalleled speeds, extremely low latency, and the ability to connect numerous devices, 5G is revolutionising digital business services across diverse industries, including healthcare, education, transportation, and manufacturing.
Here is a look at how 5G is redefining our lifestyles and business practices:
- Remote working
- Remote education
- Healthcare and remote medicine
- Autonomous vehicles
- Smart manufacturing
With growing digitisation, remote and hybrid working practices are already becoming popular. With 5G capabilities, remote work will become mainstream.
5G’s fast data speeds and ultra-low latency, coupled with edge computing, can easily support bandwidth-intensive activities like video calling, multimedia collaboration, and large file uploads, making employee location irrelevant.
The post-Covid years witnessed a major shift towards online learning. The evolution of 5G technology will strengthen this trend by supporting feature-rich remote learning platforms and AR and VR devices.
While 4G ushered in remote consultations and telemedicine, the 5G era will experience unprecedented progress in remote healthcare. 5G capabilities will allow healthcare systems to collect and analyse high-quality data for tailored treatments.
Additionally, wearable healthcare devices will enable doctors to remotely monitor patients and address emergencies in real time. As 5G technology evolves, the healthcare industry will also see a significant rise in complex robot-assisted surgeries.
5G’s low latency is crucial for efficient, real-time communication between road infrastructure and vehicles, which will create secure and dependable conditions for the rise of auto-driven cars.
Industries will increasingly leverage 5G to automate manufacturing operations and digitalise business services. 5G networks will enable the rise of smart factories with remote monitoring, workflow automation, and minimal downtime.
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How can Infosys BPM help?
Infosys BPM’s Digital Interactive Services provides process-centric digital tools to enhance your content management, multi-channel marketing, social media management, and digital analytics processes.
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