# Overview of Mobile Communications in Colombia and Introduction to 5G
## 4 Conclusions  
Mobile networks have changed the way people interact, especially when it comes to connecting to the Internet. The same is true for governments, businesses, and organizations in the way they make decisions and deliver services. Colombia is no stranger to this panorama, and the indicators related to this sector are proof of this. For this reason, the national government has ordered the switch-off of 2G networks and their transition to 4G by the end of 2022, mainly benefiting rural areas. It should be noted that there was no evidence of interest on the part of operators to make this full transition in the most isolated areas without imposition by the regulator, possibly due to a lack of economic incentives or benefits. Moreover, if the commitments made in this regard as a result of the 2019 auction are met, there will still be a significant percentage of the population without access to the service. As for 5G, it is arguably one of the biggest milestones of the last decade in wireless communications, moving from being an expectation to become a reality, with a replacement even being sought with the projected 6G in 2030. Although the first 5G systems were deployed in 2018, the first commercial 5G infrastructure is not yet in Colombia and there is no definitive official date for its deployment and implementation. However, there is a roadmap developed by the MinICT in collaboration with other state agencies and other sector actors, which will allow for the creation of the first private operators' networks in the short term. The first step in this direction is the allocation of radio spectrum use permits for pilot tests, the main objective of which is to gather information for proper planning. Other \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c} \hline \hline
**Sector** & **Summary of Implementation** & **References** \\ \hline \multirow{6}{*}{e-health} & Transmission of high-definition video and medical images & [87] \\  & between medical centers and with patients. & \\  & Classification and remote monitoring of patient’s condition & [96] \\  & using neural networks. & \\  & Monitoring and recommending actions to patients in a & [97] \\  & mobile context. & \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{Agriculture} & Remote control of the irrigation system. & [98] \\  & A platform for calculation, analysis, and sowing guidance & [99] \\  & by integrating agronomy, BD, IoT, and 5G. & [100] \\  & Inspection and early warning robot for greenhouses. & [100] \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{Education} & High-speed mobile network based on open source for & [101] \\  & virtual education. & \\  & Model for the development of music education & [102] \\  & in universities. & \\  & Video surveillance system based on a wireless sensor & \\  & network for education and multimedia teaching & [103] \\  & in classrooms. & \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{Safety and security} & Smart mobile application for police security at large events. & [104] \\  & UAV-assisted tracking and reconnaissance system. & [105] \\ \cline{1-1}  & Real-time monitoring of conditions, safety, and privacy & [106] \\ \cline{1-1}  & on motorways. & \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 6: Overview of examples of applications using 5G. actions are equally or more relevant, such as the 4G spectrum auction held in 2019 and the expansion of 4G coverage in a large part of the Colombian territory. Its importance lies in the fact that these networks will be the basis for the first phase of 5G deployment in NSA mode, although it is important to note that it will not offer all the benefits included in the SA architecture, but will allow for easy and rapid deployment at a lower cost. Therefore, before thinking about the mass roll-out of 5G in SA, the central government and TNSPs should focus on the transition from 2G and 3G to 4G and bring this type of network to populations that currently have no mobile Internet service. In turn, these policies will reduce the huge digital divide that exists between more populated and developed urban areas and rural or geographically isolated areas.