The intersection of 5G and storage: transforming mobile media consumption
The lightning-fast speeds, ultra-low latency and massive connectivity achieved with 5G technology will change the way mobile media is perceived. Therefore, storage solutions must keep pace with the growing demands of the content supply chain. In 2009, 4G introduced the concept of mobile data as an object that is downloaded to a device and then played back. This innovation has led to an increase in the amount of data processed on mobile devices.
More than 500 hours of video content are uploaded in one minute on YouTube alone, and 5G will only increase the amount of media that can and will be consumed globally. In this article, we provide insight into how 5G innovation will change storage requirements and the way media is consumed on mobile devices.
Senior systems engineer, OpenDrives.
5G performance far exceeds standard wired Ethernet ports on desktop computers, with speeds of up to 20 Gbps in theory. This is compared to the typical 1 Gbps to 10 Gbps of wired Ethernet. In practice, 5G is more than a match for most wired connections, with download speeds of 1Gbps to 10Gbps, which is on par with your desktop computer. Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile own the 5G infrastructure and can create private 5G cells, where higher performance can be achieved and even reach 20 Gbps because you don’t have to share the bandwidth with many devices.
UHD streaming
The faster speed and lower latency of 5G will make it easy to stream high-resolution videos such as 4K and 8K with minimal buffering on mobile devices. For reference, a 4K stream requires around 25 Mbps of bandwidth, while an 8K stream requires 100 Mbps, both of which are demanding but easily achievable with 5G. As a result, consumers can seamlessly stream UHD videos from their phones in virtually any environment.
Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR): AR and VR apps, with their full immersion, rely largely on high bandwidth and low latency. While 5G’s 1ms latency is significantly higher than Ethernet’s 10-30 microsecond latency, it is still suitable for these applications. To meet these rapid demands, storage systems must be able to retrieve and process data in real time.
Interactive live streaming: The high data volume and speed for 5G will enable new interactive live streaming capabilities, such as multi-angle and instant replays. To achieve this, the underlying system and storage infrastructure must be efficient and fast enough to handle numerous requests while maintaining sub-second video latency.
Storage challenges and solutions
As more advanced and data-driven media technologies become possible through 5G, older, conventional storage infrastructures face several technical limitations:
1) Scalability: The increase in high-resolution interactive content calls for storage solutions that can handle larger amounts of data. Conventional storage systems may not be able to keep up with the amount of information created by innovative, 5G-enabled applications due to their enormous size and rapid expansion. Distributed storage systems, such as those that use software-defined storage architectures (SDS), provide the scalability needed to efficiently meet these demands.
2) Bandwidth management: Compression technologies are being used to effectively manage the increased data bandwidth offered by 5G networks, with many using artificial intelligence (AI) for more efficient algorithms. These algorithms help reduce the size of data being stored or transferred, ensuring no bandwidth is wasted and media quality preserved.
3) Security: Considering the enormous amount of data transmitted over 5G networks, security becomes even more important and challenging. With massive amounts of data being sent at an unprecedented pace, traditional encryption methods can fall short. Improving encryption techniques and integrating blockchain for data integrity and Self-Encrypting Drives (SEDs) into storage solutions can improve security.
Future trends
Edge storage: As 5G becomes more widely available, it will be critical to make better use of “edge storage,” a type of decentralized storage that keeps data close to where it is needed. This approach has the potential to reduce latency while improving performance and overall user experience in real-time applications such as AR/VR and streaming for Apple Vision Pro and similar devices.
AI-driven storage optimization: The use of AI in storage management is likely to become more widespread in the 5G era. AI tools can analyze usage patterns and dynamically optimize storage allocation to ensure optimal resource utilization. For example, AI can predict what content is frequently used and then store it in high-performance storage tiers, while moving less frequently used data to cheaper storage.
5G as the backbone for broadcasting: Mobile broadcast and network infrastructure, including cables, are not particularly suited to sudden changes in mobility. 5G technology reduces the need for extensive infrastructure, making it an ideal solution for dynamic, live broadcast environments such as breaking news or outdoor events. When combined with edge computing, 5G enables local processing of video feeds, reducing latency and increasing broadcast efficiency. This seamless integration improves the efficiency and speed of live content delivery, marking a significant shift forward in the media industry.
5G as the backbone for mobile broadcasting: Harnessing 5G has the potential to transform the way cameras and other devices connect to the Outside Broadcasting (OB) trucks. With technical up to 20 Gbit, private 5G cells and an acceptable latency of 1 ms, the setup becomes considerably more flexible. In the OB truck, the data storage receives the recorded data and potentially transmits it over 5G, allowing for real-time editing and graphics overlays directly from that storage. 5G technology can also significantly improve mobile broadcast workflows by delivering high speeds of up to 10 Gbps. This enables the seamless transfer of uncompressed 4K or 8K video directly from cameras to production facilities without sacrificing video quality.
5G as the backbone for live broadcasts: For live sports broadcasts, 5G enables near-instant sync of multiple camera feeds with ultra-low latency of just 1 millisecond. This precise positioning and angles allow viewers to enjoy an immersive, ‘live-like’ experience from any screen. Additionally, 5G’s impressive speeds easily support real-time editing and graphics overlay straight from the field, allowing editors to integrate live feeds and make quick edits with minimal lag.
Conclusion
Innovative storage solutions and 5G are completely transforming the way media is consumed on mobile devices, and the latter will continue to change the way digital media is consumed on any screen. Storage technologies must adhere to security standards and continue to evolve to keep pace with the increased bandwidth management and scalability requirements of 5G to ensure viewers can always enjoy seamless experiences. Fortunately, 5G’s faster speeds and lower latency make it easy to transmit live 4K content anywhere over the internet. 5G and advanced storage solutions can not only enable great viewing experiences; they can improve them enormously. Who knows what’s next?
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