Martin Anderberg Of Icomera On How 5G Technology May Improve and Impact Our Lives

Stay present and continually learn. It becomes harder and harder the further into your career compared to when you were in the academic world. So, you need to make a concerted effort to read research, attend conferences, and absorb new knowledge.

5G infrastructure is being installed around the world. At the same time, most people have not yet seen what 5G can offer. What exactly is 5G? How will it improve our lives? What are the concerns that need to be addressed before it is widely adopted?

In our series, called, How 5G Technology May Improve and Impact Our Lives, we are talking to tech and telecom leaders who can share how 5G can impact and enhance our lives.

As a part of this series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Martin Anderberg.

Martin Anderberg, Director of Engineering and Solutions at Icomera North America is on a mission to revolutionize public transportation through 5G technology. He is recognized as a rising star and recognized as Young Innovator of the Year by the 2023 Data Cloud Global Awards. At Icomera, Martin applies his expertise to develop connectivity solutions for the transportation sector. His work focuses on leveraging the latest advancements in LTE and 5G technologies to enable seamless, high-speed connectivity for passengers and transit operators alike. As a testament to his innovative mindset, Martin is a co-inventor of a patent-pending dual router redundancy and client load balancing software, which aims to enhance the reliability and performance of ethernet networks onboard trains.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your ‘backstory’ and how you got started?

My journey began in Sweden, where I embarked on my bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering at Chalmers University of Technology. While my initial plan was to focus on electrical power engineering, a newfound fascination with wireless technologies soon took hold. Driven by an avid thirst for knowledge, I immersed myself in the world of wireless communication, pursuing a master’s degree in Wireless, Photonics and Space Engineering.

After graduating in 2018, I joined Omnisys Instruments, where I had previously interned, as a radio frequency design engineer. There, I had the opportunity to work on groundbreaking remote sensing instruments for spaceborne missions, pushing the boundaries of what was possible in measuring atmospheric characteristics and exploring distant planets. My work even led to the publication of record-breaking . When a college friend introduced me to Icomera, I knew it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. Starting as a Solutions Engineer in Sweden in 2019, I quickly made my mark before transferring to the US office in 2022. Now, as the Director of Engineering and Solutions at North America, I am driven by a mission to steer Icomera’s technical operations and strategic direction in the North American market, shaping the future of connected transportation.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to have had the guidance and support of several remarkable individuals who have shaped my path. However, there are two people who stand out as particularly instrumental in my journey.

First, I must acknowledge Jan, my professor from Chalmers University of Technology. While Jan was known for his tough and demanding teaching style, I came to appreciate the way he pushed his students to excel. He challenged us to think critically, to question assumptions, and to strive for excellence in all that we do. Looking back, I realize that Jan’s high expectations and rigorous approach laid the foundation for my success as an engineer and leader.

Second, I am grateful to Peter Sobis, a fellow engineer and friend. He demonstrated the importance of paying meticulous attention to detail in our work, a skill that has served me well throughout my career. I value the friendship we developed and appreciate the insights and support he provided.

You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?

One thing that has definitely contributed to my success is showing that you can get things done. It’s not always about what you know or what your skills are; it usually comes down to whether you can apply those things into your work. Can you learn fast? Can you adapt? Can you produce something of high quality without people having to constantly push you to do so? Those are the things that stay with people. If people talk about you, you will not want to hear ‘Martin was smart or clever,’ but rather, ‘Yeah, that’s a good person who gets things done.’

When I reflect on my promotion to a managerial role, I think this quality played a significant part. Even though I was young, I consistently demonstrated my ability to deliver results, to learn quickly, and to adapt to new challenges. I showed initiative and a strong work ethic, and I believe that this set me apart and contributed to my advancement within the company.

Are you working on any new or exciting projects? How do you think that will help people?

As we are still in the early stages of the 5G era, with ongoing deployment and installation of 5G-capable systems on our global rail transport operators’ fleets, these projects present a wealth of opportunities.

One particularly noteworthy project is our collaboration with Ontario Northland on the Polar Bear Express in Canada. This project is exciting due to the complex integration of various technologies. We are providing connectivity using both LTE and 5G, as well as satellite communication, which is essential since the train operates in the most rural areas of Ontario.

Furthermore, we have integrated our onboard entertainment and AI video surveillance solution into this project, making it a highly sophisticated and technologically advanced endeavor. The successful integration of different applications and communication technologies makes this project stand out, including Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS) and stock management systems. This is a crucial step for Icomera’s Digital Train vision. I am pleased to report that we completed the installation approximately a month ago, and the Client has expressed their satisfaction with the results thus far.

Ok wonderful. Let’s now shift to the main focus of our interview. Like 4G, 5G has many different facets, and I’m sure many will approach this question differently. But for the benefit of our readers can you explain to us what 5G is? How is 5G different from its predecessor 4G?

5G is not an entirely new technology but rather an evolution of existing wireless communication technologies . In simple terms, compared to 4G, 5G enables devices to communicate more efficiently, leading to better experiences for users. 5G offers several improvements, such as:

• Increased speed: 5G has the potential to deliver much faster data speeds, allowing for quicker downloads and smoother streaming.
• Lower latency: Latency refers to the time it takes for data to travel from the source to its destination. 5G aims to reduce latency significantly, enabling near-instantaneous communication between devices and thereby improved responsiveness.
• Greater capacity: 5G networks can support a larger number of connected devices per square kilometer. This increased capacity is crucial in the era of the Internet of Things (IoT), where countless devices need to be connected simultaneously.
• Enhanced reliability: 5G is designed to provide a more stable and consistent connection, even in challenging environments or when the user is moving at high speeds, such as in a vehicle.

Can you share three or four ways that 5G might improve our lives? If you can please share an example, for each.

The transformative power of 5G in public transportation is nothing short of exhilarating. As we stand on the cusp of widespread 5G deployment, the possibilities are endless. Imagine a world where passengers can experience seamless, lightning-fast connectivity, akin to the office or home environment throughout their entire journey. With 5G, this vision is rapidly becoming a reality.

But the true potential of 5G extends far beyond passenger Wi-Fi. For transit operators, 5G opens a world of opportunities to leverage data in ways that were once unimaginable. With a robust connectivity backbone, operators can unlock real-time insights into fleet management, predictive maintenance, and passenger flows, enabling data-driven decision-making that optimizes efficiency and reduces costs. The future of transportation is smart, connected, and powered by 5G — and we are just scratching the surface of what’s possible.

Keeping “Black Mirror” in mind, can you see any potential drawbacks about this 5G technology that people should think more deeply about?

When it comes to potential drawbacks of 5G technology, cybersecurity is definitely a concern that people should think more deeply about. As we connect more and more devices to the internet, we’re also creating more potential entry points for cybersecurity breaches. We’re sharing increasingly large amounts of personal data through our devices, and the ‘always-on’ nature of 5G connectivity means that, in theory, these devices could be accessed by malicious actors at any time. The more doors you have, the more chances for someone to break in. With 5G, we’re adding a lot more doors to our digital lives. So, it’s crucial that we prioritize robust security measures to protect our data and maintain our privacy in this hyperconnected world.

Another issue that I think warrants deeper consideration is our growing dependence on technology. Don’t get me wrong, 5G is going to bring incredible convenience and efficiency to our lives. But at the same time, we need to be mindful of the potential risks of putting all our eggs in the technology basket. Imagine a scenario where a widespread 5G network outage occurs. Even a temporary disruption could have a huge impact on our daily lives, given how much we rely on connected devices for everything from communication to transportation to healthcare. It’s a bit like the plot of a ‘Black Mirror’ episode — a world thrown into chaos when the technology we depend on suddenly fails us.

Some have raised the question that 5G might widen the digital divide and leave poor people or marginalized people behind. From your perspective, what can be done to address and correct this concern?

While it’s true that the digital divide is a pressing concern, I believe that attributing this issue to 5G technology itself is misguided. The root of the problem lies in the infrastructure disparities that existed long before 5G. At the end of the day, delivering reliable connectivity comes down to having the towers, fiber networks, and integrated solutions in place to reach every corner of our society. Bridging this gap will require a concerted effort to expand network coverage, building out cell towers and fiber optic cables to ensure that no one is left behind.

At Icomera, we’re doing our part bridging this digital divide. Our recent progress of enabling satellite-based internet for a rail service in rural Ontario is a prime example — by integrating that solution, we ensured passengers could remain connected despite venturing beyond cellular coverage areas. We don’t view connectivity as a luxury but as a fundamental right that should be available to all, regardless of socioeconomic status or geographic location.

Excellent. We are nearly done. Let’s zoom out a bit and ask a more general question. Based on your experience and success, what are the 5 things you need to create a highly successful career in the telecommunication industry?

First and foremost, never guess — get your facts straight. This is a field where assumptions can be costly. Take the time to truly understand the subject matter you’re dealing with. There’s no room for spit balling when designing and deploying complex communication systems.

Secondly, make sure this field genuinely excites you. Telecommunications is a rapidly evolving landscape. If you don’t have an innate passion for what you do, it’ll be an uphill battle to maintain engagement and momentum.

Thirdly, stay present and continually learn. It becomes harder and harder the further into your career compared to when you were in the academic world. So, you need to make a concerted effort to read research, attend conferences, and absorb new knowledge.

Fourth: Pay immense attention to details. Whether you’re a solution engineer like I am or working in another domain, the devil is always in the details. Developing groundbreaking technology requires an unwavering commitment to precision.

Finally, surround yourself with people who inspire you. Find mentors, colleagues, and thought leaders who can challenge you intellectually and motivate you to push boundaries. Always listen and learn from them. Their influence will be invaluable throughout your career.

You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

Follow your gut and your heart!

Too often, we let societal pressures, self-doubt, or the pursuit of security keep us stuck on paths disconnected from our deepest interests and values. But when I’ve followed my instincts, it has led me to purposeful work that allows me to ignite my curiosity while creating value for others. Despite early interest in electrical power engineering, my gut told me to pivot to wireless technologies. And though I achieved milestones like publishing groundbreaking research in Gothenburg, my heart calling me to expand my horizons motivated my leap to the U.S. office here. When you courageously pursue the work that stirs your soul, you’ll find labor becomes self-realization, and your ability to positively impact those around you exponentially increases.

Thank you for these fantastic insights. We greatly appreciate the time you spent on this.