FEATURE : FORECASTS AND PREDICTIONS
Paul Colmer , EXCO Member , Wireless Access Provider ’ s Association
Top executives including Paul Colmer , Ralph Berndt ,
AndreasBartsch , Soon-Ee Cheah , Rory Bosman , James Fisher , Dan Sommer , Giulio Airaga , share their insights on how the latest technology trends will enable and disrupt business for African enterprises in 2025 .
Wi-Fi to deliver exponentially faster experiences
Wi-Fi technology is on the brink of a revolutionary transformation , and 2025 will likely be remembered as the year when Wi-Fi Everywhere became a reality . With new advancements and standards , Wi-Fi is poised to redefine connectivity , create unprecedented opportunities , and enable innovative applications that go far beyond fast internet access .
Since ICASA opened the lower 6 GHz Wi-Fi band for indoor use and we continue to lobby for standard power outdoor use following global trends , Wi-Fi ’ s potential has skyrocketed . However , the key innovation is not just about GHz speed , it is about latency . By significantly reducing latency , Wi-Fi can deliver exponentially faster and more seamless experiences .
Wi-Fi 7 , for instance , leverages multi-band capabilities , using 2.4 GHz , 5 GHz , and 6 GHz simultaneously . This enables incredibly high data throughput while maintaining low latency , setting the stage for advanced applications like ultra-high-definition video streaming , real-time augmented reality , virtual reality , and extended reality , a fully immersive virtual reality .
Where this becomes interesting is that you need the advancement of the technology , which has already happened , and high throughput to deliver it . 360 degree 3D virtual reality requires around 400Mbps speed , for example , and deep immersive XR requires around 1Gbps and low latency .
Both of these technologies use compression to make the technology more efficient in throughput requirements . It is said that the human brain can only decode the equivalent of 5.2Gbps of data through vision sound and senses , which is 1Gbps when compressed into XR , so we have arrived at this point . Today ’ s Wi-Fi can officially handle this with ease .
The upcoming 802.11bf standard promises to revolutionise Wi-Fi as we know it . Once adopted by router manufacturers , this standard will enable Wi-Fi sensing , opening up a world of applications .
These advancements are supported by powerful AI algorithms that will analyse data from Wi-Fi networks , ensuring accuracy and reliability . Imagine a business model where Wi-Fi and connectivity services are offered for free , but users subscribe to value-added services like security , healthcare , or home automation . Such a model could disrupt industries from home security to healthcare and IoT .
From Wi-Fi LED globes that talk to Amazons Alexa and Google Home , the future of Wi-Fi is not confined to homes or businesses . For example , RF networks integrated into streetlight luminaires are emerging as a key technology for building smarter cities . Building a huge mesh-type network becomes as easy as changing out the luminaires and adding some internet backhaul .
How technology will enable and disrupt African enterprises in 2025
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