IEEE Future Networks Transmissions

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed a major flaw in global infrastructure when it turned out that millions (if not billions) of people were unable to work or attend school from home due to lack of reliable connections to the internet. With the digital divide a concern even in "first world" countries, internet access has taken its place alongside roads, bridges and utilities as a new kind of infrastructure in the purview of governments. In this IEEE panel discussion, experts will discuss the impact that this shift in thinking is having on local governments, property values, our visual environment, and on the rural communities that struggle to obtain broadband access.

From a public perception standpoint, 5G technology can't catch a break. Various internet theories have tied it to cancer, then the COVID-19 virus, and then the US Federal Aviation Administration claimed it could endanger airplanes while landing in low visibility. In a world of propaganda and misinformation, how are the public and policymakers supposed to make sense of any individual claim? In this IEEE podcast, experts discuss the science and standards of human health effects from electromagnetic radio waves in 5G communications.

We delve into the transformative power of cellular networks and their hidden cost on our connected world. While these networks have revolutionized access to information and bridged distances with instant communication, they come with a significant environmental footprint, consuming about 4% of our electric grid capacity. As we evolve from 4G to 5G, we strive to expand coverage. Listen to find out how this demand on our grid is set to rise and how we might address it

Following on from the podcast on The Edge Ecosystem From Now Through 2030, posted in March 2021, four edge subject matter experts now discuss Edge Automation Platform and Edge Service Platform frameworks. Edge Service includes the necessary Platform and Applications that are distributed and delivered to consumers and enterprises. So, this podcast includes envisioning use cases fertilized by current and coming network generations. And, the impact of a heterogeneous infrastructure on edge platforms and services is discussed as well as a unified programming model to simplify development across diverse architectures. Challenges at the edge are anticipated, such as networking topologies, scalability, standardization, and security at the edge, especially at the virtual level. These are the building blocks for the era of domain specific services and futuristic edge native solutions.

In this edition of IEEE 5G Transmissions: Podcasts with the Experts, subject matter experts from the IEEE 5G Initiative, the IEEE Green ICT Initiative, the IEEE SDN Initiative, and the IEEE Global Initiative for Ethical Considerations in Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Systems offer their insights on the question: What is your boldest vision of what 5G can bring us?