5G is on the way, but don't rush into making changes

From faster data transfer speeds to reduced latency, 5G can improve connectivity more than ever. But before automotive manufacturers can reap the rewards of 5G, they need to consider what type of machine-to-machine protocols they'll have in place.

Although the consensus seems to be that current protocols such as message queuing telemetry transport aren't equipped to handle the extra information that will come with 5G, rushing to implement new protocols has downsides.

Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it. You can avoid the mistakes of auto manufacturers that jumped the gun on previous networks by taking a cautious approach to 5G's rollout.

While marketing campaigns like to tout early launch dates, it often takes more time to get a new network up and running. For example, the U.K.'s minister of culture cited legal threats from mobile carriers as the reason for numerous 4G LTE rollout delays, while India endured years of delays before 3G finally became available.

Considering some of 5G's benefits, it's easy to see why President Donald Trump has called on American companies to "step up their efforts" to establish and roll out 5G networks. Although it is typically associated with laptops, smartphones and tablets, 5G's impact extends beyond those devices. Connected and autonomous vehicles in particular could greatly improve with 5G.

Unfortunately, it may take time before 5G comes to fruition. Shy away from creating new protocols in the meantime to ensure your organization isn't left waiting for a network that may take years to arrive.

When it comes to developing protocols, cost isn't a primary concern because new protocols provide value long after their launch. Take the CAN bus protocol from Robert Bosch, for example. Officially released in 1986, the CAN bus still plays a prominent role in vehicles on the road today. The protocol's ability to diagnose errors and ease communication between electrical control units and sensors remains unhindered.

While cost savings may not be a byproduct of sticking with current protocols, you may save time. Instead of spending hours creating a new set in anticipation of 5G, you can allocate time to more immediate concerns such as improving consumer safety. Considering how costly a safety violation may be, it's important to allocate an appropriate amount of time to tracking down potential problems.

Eliminating the need for preproduction and design of a new protocol also opens the door for an uptick in innovation. You can reference vehicle data and consumer sentiment to develop a set of automotive technologies that are more effective and reliable than previous iterations.

Launching a new network is just the first step in harnessing its potential. Even after 5G debuts, a number of updates may be needed before manufacturers feel confident working with it. You can minimize the risk of further complications by keeping existing protocols in place.

From crossing a bridge to heading through an underpass, various road scenarios will test the reliability of 5G early on. Do your best to retain control by leaning on proven protocols. If a server starts sending incorrect information or stops responding, you can rest easy knowing the existing protocol will recognize what to do next.

With so much more information set to move through vehicles after 5G launches, determining which data takes priority could be more challenging. You can also reduce the risk of miscommunication by building down from an existing protocol that has proven itself time after time.

5G is inching closer to reality. According to a report from Cisco, 5G will support nearly one in 10 mobile connections across North America by 2022. Just three years after that, 49 percent of mobile connections in the U.S. will operate over 5G. But while public discourse continues to drive the idea of creating a new set of protocols, there's not much to gain from switching things up now.

Improve existing protocols rather than starting from scratch.