FEASIBILITY OF 5G IN FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

Abstract

The concept of smart facilities management (FM) has become increasingly important as Singapore’s FM industry faces challenges such as rising number of buildings, ageing workforce and manpower constraints (A*STAR, 2019). The Covid pandemic further underlines the criticality of technology adoption in the industry. The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) is collaborating with real estate developers, technology and solution providers, as well as the built environment service providers to co-develop and experiment new urban solutions to improve the effectiveness and efficiency in designing and managing Smart Estates (IMDA, n.d.).

One new disruptive technology is the 5G network. Singapore’s telecommunication service provider, Singtel, has been conducting 5G network trials since 2020, and launched the nation’s very first 5G standalone network in 2021, joining the rising number of countries that have rolled out 5G like China, South Korea and the United States (Low, 2021). As it is still a relatively new area, studies available are mostly focusing on the general advantages and disadvantages of 5G. There is a lack of research on the potential impacts 5G has on Singapore’s FM industry, as well as the receptiveness of local FM professionals to this new technology.

This study will focus on the perceptions of potential adoption of the 5G network in the FM industry. A comprehensive literature review, together with a questionnaire survey and visit to NUS Centre for 5GDBT, would be conducted to better understand the impact 5G has on the FM industry, as well as to gather local industry professionals’ opinions. Results show that the FM industry is generally optimistic about 5G adoption, though there are concerns about cybersecurity and higher costs.