Shaping Sri Lanka's digital economy: 5G's impact on our future

IN today's rapidly evolving world, digitalisation is the cornerstone of economic growth and innovation. From enhancing connectivity and communication to unlocking new business models and opportunities, digital transformation is revolutionising industries worldwide. At the heart of this transformation lies 5G technology—a game-changer that promises to propel nations into the next era of connectivity and economic success.

- By Dr. Amila Withanaarachchi

Many countries around the world are making significant strides in embracing the potential of 5G, and Sri Lanka, with its strong foundation, is on an exciting path to follow suit. As global digital economies continue to evolve, Sri Lanka has a great opportunity to position itself for future growth by advancing the commercialisation of 5G.

Driving digital transformation and innovation with 5G

5G is more than just a faster mobile network. It is a key enabler of digital transformation across sectors, offering substantial improvements in speed, latency, and capacity over 4G. With theoretical speeds up to 100 times faster than 4G, 5G enables ultra-low latency, which will revolutionise how industries operate.

■ In healthcare, 5G will facilitate remote surgeries, telemedicine, and real-time health monitoring, improving access to healthcare, especially in rural areas.

■ In education, 5G will support e-learning, virtual classrooms, and collaborative learning, making quality education more accessible nationwide.

■ Agriculture, a critical sector in Sri Lanka, can benefit from 5G through precision farming, automated irrigation systems, and crop monitoring, leading to more sustainable and efficient practices.

Furthermore, 5G will lay the foundation for smart cities. It will power autonomous vehicles, energy-efficient infrastructure, and improved public services. The industrial sector will also experience a transformation with Industry 4.0, as 5G supports automation, AI, and machine-to-machine communication, improving productivity and reducing costs.