The demand for faster internet over cellular networks has led telecommunication companies to the creation of the 5G cellular network. Constant innovation is driving cellular companies to continuously adjust their approach to Big Data in order to provide faster cellular connectivity to their customers. How will the 5G network impact the software development life cycle? Our expert engineers have put together a quick guide to 5G networks and how the SDLC will be impacted.
Development and the 5G Network
As we uncover the vast features of 5G technology, we will definitely see an impact on the software development industry. With the introduction of a fast network with great bandwidth, software companies will have an expanded scope without network speed or load limits. Before 5G, operating system creators had to settle with the UI quality because of a slow or low bandwidth network.
With 5G, software companies can create apps that have better UI and functions as these are now easily accessible on the 5G network. 3D map navigation apps are a perfect example because 5G network will support apps that might consume heavy data, and maps tend to utilize large amounts of data.
5G and QA
The introduction of the 5G network will impact the software testing lifecycle as well because QA teams will have new benchmarks to measure the stability of your application.
For example, if QA teams are testing an app that allows multiple users to update the same data from different places at the same time, the 5G network will help engineers test the increased amount of users and data. The testing prerequisite setup will become easier for QA teams and will take less time on cellular networks, enabling your QA team to test the app’s performance to its fullest.
This latest innovation involves the development of various algorithms, verification and implementation. The 5th generation of cellular networks is more efficient in handling large data loads compared to the previous generation ‘4G’. The 5G network is more resource efficient and can process multiple requests at the same time.
You should test the 5G network as well as its applications against industry standards. For testing your application on the network, our experts recommend testing:
- Connectivity
A 5G network should establish a unified connection - there should not be any hindrance with the network. Test the 5G network against critical conditions such as low coverage areas, isolation and bad weather. - Download and Upload Speeds
Test the network against Big Data, including download and upload speed. Verify the data limits for uploading and downloading against time. For example, a 5G cellular network should allow a user to download and upload any bulk data in minimal time. These tests simply evaluate how much data can stream on the respective network layer. - Bulk Load on the Network
The 5G network should be able to handle multiple requests at the same time while retaining its stability. The network should not crash or go down with heavy user traffic. - Power Consumption
Keep track of the device life when using the 5G network – you would not want the device to drain out while running on 5G.
The 5G network will introduce a new scope for innovation in the device manufacturing fields as well – you need new devices that are able to withstand the same network capabilities. This will in turn influence testing, as all the apps will be required to test on the respective network-eligible device.
If you want your business to be market-ready and ensure that it you are able to embrace and enjoy the benefits of the emerging technologies, get in touch with QASource experts today.
