When the pandemic struck in 2020, schools all around the country faced a thorny question: How do you effectively teach children when they can’t all be in the same space? Hopkins Elementary School in the rural town of Somerset, Kentucky, was more prepared to answer than most. Since 2018, the school had equipped some of its students with connected tablets, which supported more interactive instruction at school, as well as extended learning opportunities at home. Access to devices with broadband is vital to boosting educational outcomes for young people. This was particularly true throughout much of the covid-19 crisis, when engagement with teachers and educational activities by necessity required an internet connection. With tablets already in Hopkins students’ hands, educators were able quickly to transition to an engaging and inclusive form of distance learning.

When the pandemic struck in 2020, schools all around the country faced a thorny question: How do you effectively teach children when they can’t all be in the same space? Hopkins Elementary School in the rural town of Somerset, Kentucky, was more prepared to answer than most. Since 2018, the school had equipped some of its pupils with connected tablets. With devices already in Hopkins students’ hands, educators were able quickly to transition to an engaging and inclusive form of distance learning.

Hopkins is among several schools across three rural Kentucky districts that are part of the Qualcomm Wireless Reach program. The initiative aims to bring advanced technologies to underserved communities around the world, with the goal of supporting not just education, but also health care, entrepreneurship and more. “In the U.S. and around the world, we’re looking at how this technology we’re building can change people’s lives,” said Angela Baker, Qualcomm Incorporated’s head of corporate responsibility and sustainability, who oversees the Wireless Reach program.

Hopkins is among several schools across three rural Kentucky districts that are part of the Qualcomm Wireless Reach program. The initiative aims to bring advanced technologies to underserved communities around the world, with the goal of supporting not just education, but also health care, entrepreneurship and more. “In the U.S. and around the world, we’re looking at how this technology we’re building can change people’s lives, and we’re working with local communities to help them address challenges they’re facing by giving them the tech they need,” said Angela Baker, Qualcomm Incorporated’s head of corporate responsibility and sustainability, who oversees the Wireless Reach program.

Underlying this mission is the reality that the internet is not a universal resource. In the U.S. alone, tens of millions of people do not have access to broadband. The consequences of this digital divide are significant, particularly when it comes to education and health care. Initiatives like Wireless Reach have gone a long way to bridging this enduring gap, ensuring that traditionally disconnected communities can tap into resources like internet-based learning initiatives and online medical treatment opportunities. Now, this effort is getting a boost, as Qualcomm and other technology leaders invest in expanding 5G infrastructure. The next generation of wireless innovation, 5G is built to be faster and more reliable than its predecessors. It also may be the key to finally delivering broadband access to all Americans.

“We do believe that 5G will be able to reach those communities that didn’t have connectivity before,” said Baker.

Underlying this mission is the reality that the internet is not a universal resource. In the U.S. alone, tens of millions of people do not have access to broadband. The consequences of this digital divide are significant, particularly when it comes to education and health care. In a 2019 survey of educators, for example, 85 percent of teachers said they favored increased use of digital learning tools. That raises the prospect of worrying disparities in outcomes based simply on who can get online. In the health care sector, at-home connectivity is similarly critical; providers now can rely on the internet to make care more efficient and effective, deploying tools like remote monitoring devices and telehealth platforms.

Initiatives like Wireless Reach have gone a long way to bridging the enduring gap, ensuring that traditionally disconnected communities can tap into digital resources. Now, this effort is getting a boost, as Qualcomm and other technology leaders invest in expanding 5G infrastructure. The next generation of wireless innovation, 5G is built to be faster and more reliable than its predecessors. It also may be the key to finally delivering broadband access to all Americans.

Beside helping people gain access, 5G also will fundamentally expand the utility of internet-based services. “I think there'll be some amazing applications, many that we don't even know yet, but I think they will revolutionize both the health care and the education industries,” said Baker.

In education, she cited virtual-reality learning opportunities. (The low latency of 5G will make immersive headset-based experiences much more seamless and compelling.) She also imagined real-time translation applications, letting students from different countries communicate and learn from one another without a language barrier.

Beside helping people gain access, 5G also will fundamentally expand the utility of internet-based services. “I think there'll be some amazing applications, many that we don't even know yet, but I think they will revolutionize both the health care and the education industries,” said Baker. She cited technologies like virtual-reality learning opportunities and advancements in remote diagnosis.

To be sure, 5G has the potential to transform education and health care. And industry leaders like Qualcomm are working diligently to guarantee this connected future is available to everyone.

For health care, Baker noted that next-generation wireless could enable advancements like remote diagnosis, as well as instantaneous and efficient communication between emergency workers and hospitals. Her vision was echoed by Adelstein. “5G could turn an ambulance into a mobile emergency room with doctors having access to a 3D view of a patient in crisis,” he said.

To be sure, 5G has the potential to transform education and health care. And industry leaders like Qualcomm are working diligently to guarantee this connected future is available to everyone.

“If we’re going to deliver on the promise of 5G,” said Baker, “people have to have access to it.”

To be sure, 5G has the potential to transform education and health care. And industry leaders like Qualcomm are working diligently to guarantee this connected future is available to everyone.

“If we’re going to deliver on the promise of 5G,” added Baker, “people have to have access to it.”