Enabling Next-Gen IoT with 5G: A Sector-Wise Study on Smart Cities, Healthcare, and Logistics

Abstract

The Internet of Things (IoT) is currently constrained by the latency, bandwidth, and scalability limitations of existing communication technologies. The adoption of fifth generation (5G) networks offers a critical paradigm shift, providing ultra-low-latency and higher data rates essential for next-generation IoT applications. This paper presents a sector-wise study detailing the disruptive impact of 5G across three key industries: smart cities, healthcare, and logistics. Our analysis reveals that: (1) In smart cities, 5G significantly enhances infrastructure efficiency through next-generation transportation and real-time evacuation systems. (2) In healthcare, 5G enables rapid diagnostics and telemedicine via highly reliable wearable devices. (3) In logistics, it provides essential real-time monitoring, automation, and predictive maintenance throughout supply chains. The study further analyses key technical enablers for this integration, specifically network slicing, edge computing, and massive MIMO (Multiple-Input Multiple-Output), alongside a discussion of interconnected challenges related to security, standardization, and infrastructure. This work provides a foundational review of current and future trends, outlining critical implications for future research toward developing scalable 5G-enabled IoT networks.

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