Amid talk and concerns about the impending introduction of 5G, telecommunications firm, FLOW Jamaica is taking a cautious approach to the evolving disruptive technology.

The development described as an expensive

proposition, by Stephen Price, the company’s Country Manager, is expected to

revolutionise data usage and increase integration and reliance on mobile across

the consumer and business markets, transforming lifestyles and industries.

However, there are some challenges that come with the introduction of 5G

technology.

Among these are the affordability of the

spectrum and the need for significantly more towers to facilitate signal transmission.

Price was among the presenters at a public

forum titled: “For Better or Worse? The Pros and Cons of 5G” hosted by the Mona

School of Business and Management last Wednesday, February 5.

“We’ll need to have several public and

private stakeholder engagements around 5G technology to understand the

benefits, the pros and the cons as well as the general direction we [Jamaica]

should take.  The fact is that the cost

is too high for a country of our size and 5G will require at least three to

four times the number of towers,” he shared.

Within the telecommunications industry, the

transition to 5G is expected to generate a windfall for network,

infrastructure, and equipment vendors. In fact, global research and advisory

firm Gartner predicts that worldwide, 5G network infrastructure revenues will

reach US$4.2 billion this year, recording year-over-year growth of 89 percent.

While FLOW is focused on continued investment in building out its network to bring more persons into the digital space as well as shore up speed and capacity, Price is also careful to note that consumer needs will be a key factor in rolling out 5G.

There are already multiple deployments of

5G technology in countries such as South Korea, the United Kingdom, Germany and

the United States.

It will, however, take some time before the

technology is in operation in Jamaica.

According to Price, “As a

telecommunications provider, we have an obligation to manage the expectations

of our consumers, clear up the myths and increase the awareness of the

technology.”

Additionally, he noted that in order to

satisfy the consumer need for internet access, capacity and speed as well as

affordability and reliability, telecommunication providers will need to focus

on the required capital investment, market structure, spectrum availability and

regulations.

Dr. Maria Myers-Hamilton, Managing Director

at Spectrum Management Authority, is of the view that continued dialogue, as

well as partnerships could address some of the health and environment concerns

raised about 5G. She further highlighted the need for Jamaica to conduct its

own research into the technology.

“We have the capacity to serve the

Caribbean.  We need to take ownership. We

were once on the cutting edge of technology; we were the leaders in ICT. Let us

partner together, build our own lab, do our testing here, then we’ll have our

facts,” she declared, noting that studies done in first world countries may not

be applicable to Jamaica.

Other presenters at the forum chaired by

Dr. David McBean, Executive Director, Mona School of Business and Management

were: Dr. Paul Aitken, Senior Lecturer & General Manager- Mona Tech

Engineering Services Limited; Rohan Pottinger, Chief Technology Officer,

Digicel Jamaica, and Lyndel McDonald, Manager, Telecommunications Systems, Spectrum

Management Authority.