Our internet needs are changing faster than we anticipated. What seemed like the best connectivity a few years back now barely meets the needs of contemporary homes and offices.
The average home today has more connected devices than ever before. Remote work has become commonplace, and AI applications have become a necessity.
In this regard, it’s paramount to envision whether internet speeds and reliability will match these needs in the next half-decade. The good news is that the future of internet speed looks bright. We shall witness a transformative revolution in infrastructure across businesses, industries, and homes.
The transformation is not only about internet speeds; it also involves fundamental changes in network architecture, data processing, and emerging technology.
This article will take a deep look into how the coming years will redefine internet speeds and reliability. From fiber installations to edge computing, here’s how internet speeds and reliability will change in the next five years.
Fiber Optics Is the Future
Fiber transmits data as light impulses through ultra-thin glass strands. These light impulses achieve speeds and reliability that other wireless technologies cannot match.
Future connectivity will undoubtedly be built on fiber optic technology. Although DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) and other wireless technologies have their uses, fiber is uniquely positioned to meet future internet demands.
Advancement of the 5G Network
While several countries have already implemented conventional 5G, 5G Advanced will be rolled out over the next five years. This will provide higher spectrum efficiency, wider coverage, improved reliability, and ultra-low latency, all crucial for time-sensitive applications.
More research will be done on 6G, which is expected to be commercially available in the early 2030s. The 6G network will aim to achieve terabit-per-second speeds and enhance flawless interaction between satellite and terrestrial networks.
Mainstreaming of High-Speed Connectivity
In many cities, gigabit internet speeds of 1,000 megabits per second (Mbps) are becoming commonplace. Over the next five years, broadband service providers will up their game to make multi-gigabit speeds available.
In the coming years, next-generation technology such as DOCSIS 3.1 and FTTX, which reduce latency and jitters, will become mainstream. This will help companies cope with the increasing internet demand from residential users and companies.
Satellite Internet Will Be Faster
Satellite internet is expected to be a viable solution for businesses and consumers where fiber isn’t an option.
Satellite internet has historically had poor bandwidth and high latency. So now, the emergence of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations, like SpaceX’s Starlink and other competitors, is changing the game.
Satellite has become significantly faster and more reliable. As we move forward, things can only get better as more companies get innovative with satellite internet services.
Unleashing Wi-Fi 7 and Beyond
The next Wi-Fi standard, known as IEEE 802.11 or Wi-Fi 7, is up and running. Wi-Fi 7 aims to provide incredible speeds with increased efficiency for all devices. It utilizes all three bands (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz) for extremely high throughput and faster data transfers.
Wi-Fi developers are already working on Wi-Fi 8. The main focus for Wi-Fi 8, which is projected to be rolled out around 2028, is ultra-high reliability. If Wi-Fi 7 provides speeds up to 4.8 times faster than Wi-Fi 6, you can only imagine what Wi-Fi 8 will bring to the table.
Advancement of Edge Computing
The growing number of linked devices (Internet of Things), such as AR/VR platforms and self-driving cars, demands fast, reliable, and smart networks. Edge computing helps by processing such data closer to its source, thereby reducing latency and easing backhaul strains.
By decentralizing the IT architecture, this computing model will enable real-time computation of data and applications. Over the next five years, this model will become the norm, ensuring that central servers don’t impede the potential of innovative apps.
Key Takeaway
You may recall the time when internet speeds of one megabit per second were considered fast. Today, that speed is hardly enough to perform any online task. Data speeds are set to be anything but slow as technologies like fiber optics and 5G become common.
It’s therefore safe to say that as internet usage is expected to increase over the next five years, so will the speed and reliability. Internet consumers can expect a secure, fast, reliable, and robust network capable of handling the next generation of digital advancements.
