5G – what can it do for you?

NEW 5G mobile networks could revolutionise online motor retail and how dealers present vehicles.

James Tewm Chief Executive of iVendi said the speed of the networks could make ultra high resolution online imaging, especially video, part of every used car description.

He added: “In most areas of the online customer journey, such as going through the motor finance process, existing 4G is plenty fast enough to meet used car buyer needs.

“About two-thirds of all car buying journeys through iVendi use a mobile device of some kind, so consumers are clearly quite satisfied at present.

“Where 5G will score and indeed, promises to revolutionise approaches, is in the way the vehicle is presented online.

“It is designed to deliver speeds of up to 10Gbps compared to 4G’s 300Mps. To give you an idea of scale, this means you could download a complete 25GB Ultra HD movie in about 20 seconds.

“This has clear implications for how dealers present cars and vans. Vehicle images will take leap forward in terms of both quality and quantity, while it is probable that Ultra HD video will become the norm for every online car or van description.

“Our view is that this will have two key effects – one is that dealers will need to get up-to-speed with presenting vehicles in ever-better condition – the degree of resolution will make any cosmetic faults immediately apparent.

“Secondly, car buyers will become more confident about completing the entire purchase online as a result.”

James said that the arrival of 5G – which is expected to be available in some areas of the UK before the end of the year – could combine with the arrival of new, hinged phone designs to create a kind of doubled technological advance.

“There have been some issues around both 5G and hinged phones in the shape of Huawei’s problems and some early screen failures.

“These may delay the adoption of both of these technologies. However, it is possible – even probable – that in a couple of years, it will relatively commonplace to shop for your used car by looking at professionally produced, Ultra HD video on your large, hinged phone display.”