A lot of good things have been said about the marvels of the 4G LTE broadband internet revolution. It has been called both “the future platform for a truly mobilised workforce” and “the enabler of new mobile business models.”
But what is true and actually possible – and what is only big words and pipedreams of marketing companies and tech-geeks? In an effort to describe some of the real-world benefits that businesses in Tanzania can expect from 4G LTE, this article digs deep into both experiences and survey data from countries where 4G LTE has already been deployed, exploring the development in three specific areas of work relevant to Tanzania, namely construction, retail and transport.
Any given new high-rise building in downtown Dar es Salaam can have a global history that the average spectator has no idea about. Nowadays, it’s not unusual that buildings are drawn in South Africa and built with know-how from Europe and materials from China and India.
As building projects get more complex and the need for temporary work locations on-site arises, fast mobile applications can greatly improve productivity, agility and cost-effectiveness. Meetings between contractors, architects and building teams can be held online through video conferences, thus saving travel costs and use superfast 4G LTE to instantly share construction plans without the use of couriers.
In a survey made by a British consultant company Arthur D. Little, 77 per cent of construction executives surveyed say they use 4G mobile devices to enable working in new locations. Tablet devices seem to be the most commonly used mobile device on many construction sites and are seen by many as ‘revolutionising the industry.’
In the oil, gas and mining industry, employees stationed in remote areas can seek comfort in being close to family and friends through crystal clear video calls.
The livelihood of many Tanzanians depend on success in the retail business – and here the wonders of 4G LTE broadband internet might come in handy, if one seeks to dominate the market. 4G LTE is already being used to improve marketing and customer service, provide in-store connectivity and to widen the possibilities of buying bulk and reaching new customers.
In Europe – and there is no reason to believe that the future will be different for Tanzania – the key drivers of mobile technology in the retail industry are driven by new ways to reach consumers – increasingly over mobile devices. This means targeted marketing by tailoring communications to specific segments and engaging individuals directly.
This requires a high-quality connectivity and the ability to collect and process huge quantities of customer data. Customer support also becomes more efficient with the possibility of using online chat and video-calls to reach customers on their smartphones or on tablets.
The superfast internet broadband can also be used for optimising the supply chains and logistics, inventory control and quality management – without the presence of employees at the actual geographical locations. Customers on the other hand get instant access to tens of thousands of products in online stores, which reduces buying cycle times – giving the companies using 4G LTE a much-needed competitive edge.
The mobile spectrum of the 4G LTE makes it much better than its predecessor to support GPS-tracking and mobile use. For distribution- and logistics companies, 4G LTE can help increase the efficiency of fleet operations and management by tracking each container, truck or asset by GPS.
A superfast 4G LTE broadband internet connection also makes access to operational reports, driver schedules, vehicle and fuel consumption data available in real time. Drivers who carry 4G LTE–enabled smartphones can receive updated schedules and delivery assignments as needed, access multimedia maps and driving directions, monitor cargo status and more, which helps improve operational efficiency and reduce fuel costs.
In big logistic environments, like harbours, construction sites and mining areas, 4G LTE will become a key technology in providing real-time updates on where the assets are – reducing the risk of loss or theft.
Because of the mobile nature of 4G LTE, normal consumers can enjoy in-car media and connectivity on public transport – automobile companies like BMW have already built-in antennas to give the passengers access to online entertainment. Much of this might still seem like something from a futuristic movie, but the odds are in the favor of 4G LTE.
In the long run, 4G LTE is likely to become a platform for a wide range of services and looking abroad, it is likely to become a game-changer in several markets, although gaining the benefits totally depends on how it is implemented.
Source Tanzania Daily News
