The rollout of 5G networks brings with it the promise of enabling smarter, more connected cities and IoT devices. 5G offers faster data speeds, lower latency, and the ability to connect exponentially more devices than previous generations of wireless technology. This sets the stage for smart cities to leverage IoT sensors, cameras, and other devices to collect data and respond in real-time to challenges like traffic congestion, crime, energy usage, and more.
However,
to fully realise the benefits of 5G for smart cities, the technology must be
rigorously tested before full-scale deployment. Thorough testing is critical to
ensure 5G networks are secure and reliable enough to support the future of
urban IoT innovation.
Rigorous Testing Identifies Potential Vulnerabilities
While
5G brings promise, the rush to be first-to-market runs the risk of deploying
networks before they have been vetted through comprehensive testing. The
hyper-connectivity 5G enables can also create new cybersecurity risks if
vulnerabilities go undetected. This makes rigorous pre-deployment testing
crucial.
Thorough
testing by 5G vendors allows weaknesses and gaps in networks to be identified
and resolved ahead of public rollout. Testing 5G hardware under different
settings and use cases can uncover performance issues or cyber vulnerabilities
that may not be obvious at first glance. Identifying and addressing these
issues now is essential to avoiding potentially massive smart city disruptions
down the road.
Testing Verifies 5G Reliability for Critical IoT Functions
According
to research done by melita.io,
IoT devices form the main building blocks of smart cities but smart cities will
rely on 5G for their most vital and critical functions. Autonomous vehicles,
public transportation, traffic management systems, emergency response services,
and law enforcement will all depend on 5G for constant connectivity and
split-second communication.
To
trust such essential smart city services to 5G, rigorous reliability testing is
required beforehand. Testing evaluates how 5G networks perform under heavy
loads, with dense IoT device connectivity, and in the midst of common
real-world signal disruptions and interference. Testing reliability now
provides the assurance needed to safely deploy life-critical applications over
5G.
Testing Validates IoT Device Performance Over 5G
Along
with testing 5G networks themselves, the performance of smart city IoT devices
over 5G connections must also be validated through real-world testing.
IoT
sensors, controllers, drones, robots, and autonomous vehicles will all consume
5G bandwidth while interacting with city infrastructure in different locales.
Testing devices like these across various live 5G networks can verify that they
perform as expected when deployed in the field at scale.
Catching
and correcting any device-specific issues during testing allows smart cities to
head-off potential safety, operability, or cybersecurity problems as IoT ramps up
on 5G.
Testing Confirms 5G Network Security
Smart cities rely on extensive video surveillance, connected infrastructure
sensors, public Wi-Fi kiosks, and other network-accessible technologies to
function. With such a broad attack surface, 5G networks must be confirmed as
secure before smart city innovation moves forward.
Rigorous
security testing involves expert ‘white hat’ hackers probing 5G hardware,
software, and networks to uncover any weaknesses criminal hackers could
exploit. Testing 5G security under controlled conditions now prevents openings
that would allow catastrophic attacks on smart city infrastructure later.
Multi-Vendor Testing Reveals Interoperability Issues
Carriers
will deploy 5G networks using hardware and software from various vendors. Smart
cities will utilise IoT solutions from many different technology firms as well.
This multi-vendor environment makes interoperability validation between all
components critical.
Through
integrated testing across solutions from multiple vendors, any compatibility
issues that could impact performance or security can be addressed early on.
Testing uncovers interoperability problems like lag, data loss, software
crashes, or security flaws that occur when devices, networks, and systems
interact.
Identifying
and solving these complex bugs during coordinated testing prevents problems
from arising once smart city services go live.
Testing Builds Confidence Among Citizens and Officials
Testing
5G rigorously before full-scale smart city deployment also builds critical
trust and confidence. Testing demonstrates to citizens that this new technology
works as intended and has cybersecurity safeguards in place to protect their
privacy and safety. Testing likewise gives city officials and planners
assurance that 5G can deliver on its promise to enable transformative new urban
services.
The Future of Smart Cities Relies on 5G Testing Today
The
full benefits of 5G to upgrade cities and connect ubiquitous IoT devices rely
on first building reliable, secure, high-performance networks that serve as the
foundation. Comprehensive testing of 5G infrastructure today gives cities that
robust foundation needed to support billions of new connected devices and urban
infrastructure that depends on them.
With
rigorous testing and validation of 5G networks, devices, applications, and
security, we can have confidence in this technology as the linchpin and enabler
of smarter and more connected cities of the future.
While
the promise of 5G is bright, it is testing under real-world conditions now that
ensures smart cities can ultimately fulfil that potential.
