5G and Cloud Edge: How Will They Affect Capital Markets?

The rise of artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things and cyber-security has created a perfect storm for IT departments in capital markets. The fifth generation of wireless technology (5G) is expected to have a huge impact on how financial services companies operate. Before diving deep into the impact of this networking technology in the capital markets, what exactly are 5G and cloud edge? 

What is 5G?

5G is the next generation of wireless connectivity and the first network that will be built to serve the needs of future technologies such as AI and the Internet of Things (IoT). 5G is expected to be at least 10 times faster than 4G and have much lower latency. It is also expected to have much greater capacity, meaning it can be used by more devices at once. By the end of 2020, experts expect that 1.7 billion people will be using 5G, mostly in major cities. That figure is expected to rise to almost 4 billion people by 2025.

What is Cloud Edge?

Cloud edge is the term used to describe the process of moving cloud-based services from large centralized data centers to the network edge where they are accessed by employees, customers, and partners. Cloud edge is expected to be a key driver of 5G adoption. 

What will be the Benefits of 5G and Cloud Edge in Capital Markets?

Here are a few benefits capital markets firms will experience when 5G and cloud edge are rolled out:

●Greater network capacity: 5G will have much higher capacity than previous generations of wireless technology. The increased capacity will be important for capital markets firms as they look to cope with an increasing number of users.
●Lower latency: Latency of networks will be lower, which will enable real-time data analytics important for some sort of trades.
●Improved security: This will be achieved through network slicing, where different services are separated from each other and only given the level of access they need.