There’s been no shortage of hype. Now, after years of headlines heralding it as a transformative technology, an evolution in wireless service, even a “game changer for humanity,” 5G is finally being rolled out across Canada by the big three telecom providers. In June, the Canadian government began its latest wireless spectrum auction—and it is considered the most consequential auction in many years. The 3,500 MegaHertz spectrum is crucial in building out 5G services. In this encore episode of Disruptors, an RBC podcast, host John Stackhouse examines the true potential of fifth-generation wireless networks with the help of Bell Mobility’s President, Claire Gillies. Together, they tackle the full spectrum of questions surrounding 5G—including why it’s really more of a “revolution” than an evolution, and how it will transform everything from healthcare to agriculture. We also hear from Cyrus Tehrani, the Chief Digital Officer for the City of Hamilton, on how 5G will “level up” some of the services people depend on every day. And Keith Ponton—a Senior Systems Consultant from IBI Group, with decades of experience in the telecom business—offers his perspective on how Canada compares to other countries in the 5G race, and where the greatest opportunities for advancement lie.
In this episode, two reports from RBC’s Thought Leadership group are mentioned. Click the links to read Farmer 4.0: How the Coming Skills Revolution Can Transform Agriculture, and Paging Dr. Data: How the Coming Skills Revolution Can Transform Healthcare.
For details on the City of Hamilton’s digital transformation, visit their website. To learn more about IBI Group’s work in building the cities of tomorrow, click here. For the latest on Bell Mobility’s rollout of 5G services, go to Bell.ca—and for the very latest on the Government of Canada’s spectrum auction, follow this link.