5G is the fifth generation of cellular network technology designed to provide a lot of great benefits for users. Many people are already raving about how the newest 5G networks will help bring about faster and more reliable communication. As smartphones and digital devices get smarter, and more people have applications that generate more data usage, it’s necessary for the wireless network to keep up with the pace. This is where 5G technology comes into play. Many customers now are using 3G or 4G/LTE networks, which were introduced in 2001 and 2009, respectively. 5G is a major advancement over both 3G and 4G/LTE technology and is an exciting move for both smartphone manufacturers,app developers and wireless carries. 5G is certainly a big step forward in technology that will benefit users as the technology is rolled out. Read on to learn more about 5G technology and what you should expect in the near future.
Eighteen global carriers have already or will start 5G speed trials this year, including Verizon, AT&T and Sprint. Currently, there are also several device manufacturers that are set to include 5G capability in devices starting in 2019, including LG and HTC, with several more expected to follow suit.
5G can provide fiber-like speeds that are 10 times faster than current 4G networks, low latency which can help remove delays, and longer battery life for the sensors that help enable the Internet of Things (IoT). The IoT is a network of Internet-connected objects that exchange data by relying on sensors.
One of the benefits of this technology is the era of smart cities, where the IoT can help with energy grids, emergency services, and traffic signals. With improved technology, there will be less inefficiency to help build these cities and give services to the people that live in them.
The move to 5G will lead to the build-out of some of the physical infrastructure that is needed to enable it, which means more fiber and a spectrum to support the wireless 5G deployments. This means there will be a faster speed for overall communication.
The effects of 5G will be felt in every industry. With healthcare, it can increase the effectiveness of preventative care and aid in robotic surgery. Smart buildings can help provide services to cities and increase collaboration among different economic stages, which leads to engaged and innovate business models for both the public and private sectors.
For 5G networks, the plan is for direct communication between cells, which will help skip the connection whenever possible and would offload a lot of traffic. These cells should be wired together directly in the shortest path, so traffic will route back to a central location.
5G is set to be deployed in different locations in the early days, so customers that are expecting their 3G and 4G to be replaced suddenly with 5G may be disappointed in the meantime. For those in rural communities, for example, 5G won’t be rolled out in the early days, but cities and metro areas may get some upgrades in the near future. Verizon is one company definitely interested in bringing 5G to mobile users sooner rather than later, and is actively working on rolling out 5G in the near future.
When 5G is rolled out, there will likely be vast improvements in call and voice quality over mobile networks, as well as faster data and download speeds.
The two technologies are not compatible, as 5G is a departure from the previous technology. 5G is not one technology, but rather a whole ecosystem of standards, so in a way it could maintain some compatibility with 4G, but it’s not likely.