Join CNET for a lively discussion about the ways 5G can help solve the problems exposed by the pandemic.
Brett Pearce/CNET
This story is part of CES, where our editors will bring you the latest news and the hottest gadgets of the entirely virtual CES 2021.
The coronavirus upended our lives in ways we never imagined possible. The push to stay in our homes, all while keeping the world running and connected, exposed vulnerabilities we didn’t know existed. Patients couldn’t, or wouldn’t, see their doctors, many afraid of exposing themselves to COVID-19. Parents struggled to help their kids focus on remote learning even as they re-learned how to do their jobs from home. And that’s if they had adequate broadband to begin with.
Enter 5G. While the next-generation wireless technology is no magic bullet for these problems, the idea of delivering a speedy and responsive connection over the air holds massive promise for some of the problems highlighted by the pandemic and lockdown.
To discuss some of the ways 5G can offer society benefits beyond a speed boost to your phone, I gathered three experts for CNET’s 5G panel for CES 2021: Cristiano Amon, president and soon-to-be CEO of Qualcomm, Tami Erwin, CEO of Verizon Business and Dr. Steve Ommen, medical director for the Mayo Clinic’s Center for Connected Care.
Join me for this discussion during CNET’s 5G panel at 10 a.m. PT Wednesday at CES.CNET.com, CNET’s YouTube Channel and on this page.
We discuss how 5G can help:
- Improve the telemedicine experience, ensuring patients are comfortable seeing a doctor remotely.
- Create more engaging remote learning sessions than simple Zoom calls with teachers.
- Allow for more AR and VR applications for both learning and work sessions.
- Close the broadband gap in a country where 18 million Americans still lack an adequate internet connection.
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.