Development of IoT drives research into fifth generation (5G) mobile and wireless communication technology

As discussed previously in this blog, IoT (Internet of Things) is a network of physical objects accessed through the internet. These objects will have technology such as microchips embedded in them which will enable them to react to the external environment or internal states. Objects can therefore sense and communicate via the internet.

Benefits of IoT

The development of IoT is set to completely transform day-to-day life, making tasks such as shopping, traveling and working a whole lot easier. IoT will have the ability to alert you of traffic jams and help you to avoid them, inform you when you are running low on groceries and even order more for you, and give you the ability to control home and kitchen appliances remotely from smart devices.

IoT and 5G

It is believed that by 2020, 5G mobile networks will offer speeds of up to 10Gbps, with low latency and response times, making them key to the development of the Internet of Things. 5G will be essential to the development of IoT as it will not just be computers and phones that will be connected to a wireless network, but household appliances such as fridges, ovens, thermostats etc... Our automobiles, our bicycles, and even our clothing. Not only will our own personal possessions be connected via IoT but the entire infrastructure of the country will be connected, for example, the roads we drive on and the pipes that carry our water. In five years time it is estimated that there will be 25 times more devices on our wireless spectrums in the UK and current 4G services just do not have the capacity to support such growth.

Potential risks

Despite the potential benefits IoT has to offer, fears of security have also arisen through its development, as it will gather vast amounts of data that could give a comprehensive insight into deeply personal aspects of our
lives. This has the potential to create a worrying threat to our privacy, even in the safety of our own homes.

Just how fast will 5G be?

The potential benefits for 5G are massive. As a consumer you will be able to download a 1080p HD movie to your mobile in about one second. Also, thanks to the versatility of 5G, and its ability to scale, any kind of dropped connection should be a thing of the past. Due to the sheer speed of 5G it has the potential to eliminate the need for DVD, Blu-Ray and Video Game disks. Once networks can download a 50GB video game within minutes physical disks will quickly become obsolete.

Will 5G be expensive?

No, in fact it should be a lot cheaper than a 4G plan today. A 5G data plan could give you an allowance of up to 50GBs per month and yet cost half the price of your current 4G plan. The reason for this is due to the fact that the cost of delivering 1MB of data falls by around half each year. In 2008 the average cost of 1MB was 43p. Today it’s about 2p. By the time 5G is available it is predicted 1MB could cost around 0.001p.

Pacifica Group acquire new site in Washington as expansion continues

Pacifica group has recently opened a new site in Washington, Tyne & Wear with the potential to create around 45 jobs through a £2m expansion.

The acquisition of a new warehouse on the Washington site will aid the growth and day-to-day running of
new company 'Spare Parts Online' providing a vast storage area of over 60,000 square foot. The site also contains office and welfare facilities opposite the main warehouse.

The expansion came after securing £500,000 from FW Capital, managers of the North East Growth Plus Fund, as part of a £2m funding round, which also included a £250,000 grant through the Let’s Grow fund as well as a £1.16m commercial mortgage and loan from HSBC.

Group Director Kevin Brown (far right of the photo) said: “This investment marks a major milestone for us as we embark on the next phase of the company’s expansion. It has put us in a great position to achieve our aim of becoming Europe’s premier support services provider to the domestic appliance industry.”

Joanne Pratt (second from the left on photo), FW Capital’s fund manager in the North East, said: “Pacifica has become a major player in the European domestic appliance industry and now provides customers with a comprehensive range of services. They’ve have built an excellent reputation and taken on additional staff as they’ve expanded. The move to Washington is an important step for Pacifica and I’m pleased FW Capital has been able to join forces with HSBC to come up with a funding package to back its continued expansion. This investment is an excellent example of how we can work alongside other funders to structure investment packages for ambitious North East companies.”

The expansion has created a number of new jobs within the area providing roles such as warehouse labourers, forklift truck drivers, pickers, packers, warehouse administrators and warehouse manager.

Some great tips for cleaning your kitchen appliances!

No one likes the chore of cleaning the oven, microwave, blender etc... it's a job that can drive even the calmest person commit acts of violence upon inanimate objects. Here is a look at some of those hard to clean kitchen appliances and some tips that will help make your life that little bit easier.

#1 The Blender

This tip comes in two parts. Firstly clean the blender as soon as you are finished using it. Leaving the remains of your latest blended concoction to dry on to the bottom of the blender only makes it a lot more difficult and frustrating to clean. 

Secondly as soon as you have finished pouring your creation into a bowl or cup pour a little bit of washing up liquid into the blender and add some warm water. Replace the blender back on its motor and give it another whirl. This should help remove any chunks left behind and give the blades a good clean. Repeat this process as many times as you see necessary. Once the blender is clean rinse with cold water to get rid of and soap suds and you're done. 

#2 The Microwave 

Cleaning dried foods such as beans, soup etc.. off the inside of a microwave can be a difficult and frustrating task. Following these simple tips can make the process a lot easier and stress free. All you will need is a lemon, a microwaveable bowl, 300ml of water and a cloth. 

1. Firstly start by cutting a lemon in half, squeeze the juice into the microwaveable bowl and mix in around 300ml of water. 
2. Next put the bowl in the center of the microwave and put on full power for between 5-10 minutes, allowing enough time for the steam to condense on the roof and walls of the microwave. 
3. Once the bowl has been in for the appropriate amount of time carefully remove it (it will be hot!) and, with a cloth. wipe off the once dried on food remains with great ease.
4. Pour yourself a glass of your favorite beverage, stand back and admire your great work. 

#3 The Oven

A nice tip that will make cleaning the oven a doddle is to place half a cup of ammonia into a cold oven over night. The fumes from the ammonia will loosen up all the grease and build up of burnt on food. The next day simply wipe the oven clean with a wet cloth. 

#4 The Electric Grill

For anyone who has ever used a George Foreman grill (or any other brand for that matter) you will know the sheer anger and frustration you experience whilst trying to clean the damn thing. Which is why, especially in student homes, they can go uncleaned for months on end (giving all food you cook in it that char-grilled taste). 

1. Unplug the grill and let it cool slightly.
2. Place wet paper towels over the grill plates ensuring the grill is still warm enough that it promotes some steam to loosen the cooked on grease and grime.
3. Close the grill with the paper towels still in place and leave to cool. 
4. Once the grill has cooled lift the lid, remove the paper towels and with a washing cloth that has been dipped in hot soapy water simply wipe the grill clean with ease. 

This method will save a lot of time spent scrubbing burnt on fat and food from the grill plates and makes a job we all dread a whole lot easier. 

#5 The Dishwasher

A dirty dishwasher will not clean dishes as effectively as a clean one, that's why it is important to clean them out every once in a while. Here are is a nice simple tip that should help make the task a little easier.
Firstly place half a cup of vinegar in a glass cup on the top rack of your dishwasher and run it on high for one cycle. Then place a cup baking soda on the bottom of the basin and run the dishwasher on a half cycle with hot water. This should help shift all the dirt and grime that has gathered in your dishwasher and you will be able to see the difference in your dishes after a wash. 

If you have any more cleaning tips of your own please feel free to share in the comment box below. 

Thanks for reading and I hope we have made cleaning your appliances that little bit easier. 

Powerful hairdryers, next on EU's ban list? Let us know what you think!

With the introduction of new European legislation, with the aim of meeting targets for energy efficiency, we have already seen a ban on vacuum cleaners rated above 1,600 watts. The ban will cover any vacuum cleaner over 900 watts in 2017. According to the European Commission the rules will contribute to saving 19 terawatt-hours every year by 2020. This is the equivalent of the electricity produced by four power plants for 5.5m homes.

Next for the chop, in the European Unions attempt at tackling climate change, could be powerful hairdryers. Hairdryers tend to range from around 900 watts up to as much as 2,300 watts. Fears are emerging throughout hairdressers and consumers that more powerful models favoured by salons will no longer be available. Critics describe the plan as "ill thought out" and claim that it would be unlikely that the plans would save energy and could make hairdressers vulnerable to arm, back and wrist injuries as it could increase the amount of time it takes to dry a client’s hair. National hairdressers federation president Paul Curry, owner of Studio 12 in York, said: “We all want to do our bit for the environment but these ludicrous changes, if they do become law, are ill thought out and could be potentially very damaging to our industry.”

As well as hairdryers there are up to 30 other appliances that appear in the study requested by the European Commission in order to meet a target for energy savings of 30 per cent across the EU by 2030. Other appliances that appear in the study include toasters, kettles, wifi routers, lawn mowers and smartphones. 

The study carried out by the European Commission will determine which appliances need to be regulated, in order to best reach targets for 2030, and make recommendations as to the most effective way to regulate the chosen appliances. 

Günther Oettinger, the German EU energy commissioner, explained that legislation preventing consumers from buying high-wattage appliances was necessary to fight climate change. He explained “We haven't got round to these devices yet, we want curb power consumption. All EU countries agree that energy efficiency is the most effective method to reduce energy consumption and dependence on imports and to improve the climate. Therefore there needs to be mandatory consumption limits for small electrical appliances.”

Have your say!!!

Do you believe that limiting the power of every day appliances is a step in the right direction when it comes to tackling climate change and reducing our energy consumption. Or, do you believe the new rules could have harmful effects on the market and certain industries and effect the quality and functionality of future products.

Please let us know and have your say by using the comment box below.

Pacifica Group Ltd make North East Fastest 50 List

I am pleased to announce that Pacifica Group Ltd once again, after winning the award in 2011, have made the North East Fastest 50 list, helping set the pace for the region’s growing economy. The Ward Hadaway Fastest 50, devised by leading North law firm Ward Hadaway and backed by The Journal, identifies and champions companies in the region who have achieved the most impressive performances in growing their businesses.

Independent economic researchers compile a list of the 50 fastest growing companies in the North East using factors such as companies who have seen the biggest annual growth rate in their turnover. This means that every company on the list is there on its own merit and being measured on its tangible success.