5G, the next-generation wireless standard, could be the most important development in mobile technology since 3G first appeared in 2001. Faster speeds, lower latency and greater bandwidth are just some of the improvements that 5G promises to bring to our phones, tablets and other connected devices — as well as to homes and cars. The catch? You probably won’t see it in your daily life until 2020 or beyond (at least in the United States). But there’s no question that 5G will change everything about how we use wireless devices, so it’s worth learning all you can about it now.
How will our lives change?
The most exciting thing about 5G is how it will change our lives. In the future, people may use 5G networks to charge their electric vehicles and buy groceries. 4K video chat could be as easy as snapping a selfie, while virtual reality could feel so real that users might forget they're not actually standing in a different location. If this sounds like science fiction, take heart-5G networks are coming sooner than you think!
How do we get faster, better mobile connectivity?
5G could change that by creating a new wireless system that allows speeds to peak at tens of gigabits per second, as well as 10-100x latency improvement and 1000x efficiency. The latest technology will be leaps and bounds better than our current 4G networks which were first introduced in 2001, so why not embrace it? With 5G, you will get the speed and reliability of wired connections along with the mobility benefits of mobile. As an added bonus, this will also help us tackle one of society's biggest problems - global warming. Environmentally friendly data centers can allow us to conserve up to 50% more energy over current standards! 5G is an opportunity we shouldn't pass up.
How do we build a global network?
When it comes to creating a global network, we have two options – either come up with a whole new and revolutionary system for wireless data transmission, or find an existing one. 5G wireless standards are pretty close to providing us with a reliable and future-proof solution in all these aspects. In this blog post, we will try to see how this latest technology can be beneficial in a number of different fields.
How much will it cost?
5G networks promise to be much faster than 4G and LTE networks. For example, a full HD movie can be downloaded in just ten seconds. The upload speeds on 5G networks are also much better than most networks today. Users will likely have more control over data usage as well. In other words, 5g means faster connections with less worries about going over data limits.
How fast is it?
5G isn't just faster, it's also more robust. Signals can not only go farther, but they're less prone to interference and better able to adapt to changing conditions. 5G networks may be less congested than 4G and provide increased performance under high demand. It will also provide more capacity for new technologies that support things like self-driving cars, smart cities, and IoT devices (Internet of Things). Basically, 5G will make the internet—and everything that relies on it—much smarter in the near future.
Is it really different from 4G/LTE networks today?
5G networks are much faster than previous 4G/LTE networks. Additionally, they have better coverage and lower latency. You can expect 5G to provide up to 100 times the capacity and 10 times lower latency than 4G/LTE. As a result, it will be able to support more devices for greater distances.
So what can we do with all this extra speed and responsiveness?
It's difficult to envision all the ways in which 5G will change our lives when it's still largely in development. That being said, we can see how it will have major impacts on health, construction, manufacturing, transport and even entertainment.
Take healthcare for example. Imagine if a doctor could use augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) to interact with their patient remotely without them having to leave their bedside. There are no limitations with data storage so an expert could walk you through a surgery by providing step-by-step instructions in high definition 4K resolution while wearing a 360° headset. What's more?
What does this mean for technology companies like Samsung?
5G will affect companies like Samsung that make hardware for phones and other consumer devices, so they have a vested interest in seeing 5G being successful. We are more likely to see innovations, price drops, and competitive pricing as a result of having this new 5G network available. There are also many technologies on the horizon that would be game-changers if they could take advantage of a full-fledged 5G network from day one. These include artificial intelligence and virtual reality; both require low latency networks to function smoothly. 5G might not be perfect when it comes to latency, but it’s much better than what we have now. The power of 5G is in its ability to handle data traffic at significantly higher speeds, thanks to things like Massive MIMO antenna arrays. With 5G, users won’t just get faster downloads—they’ll also enjoy lower connection latencies and increased reliability. All these factors combine to create a vastly improved experience over today’s 4G LTE networks
What does this mean for telecom operators?
5G, or 5th generation wireless networks, are not just a buzzword; this technology will fundamentally change how we connect to the internet. Specifically, 5G networks will use newly available spectrum in high frequency ranges to deliver faster data rates that’ll make streaming video and sharing files online faster than ever before. We expect to see speeds of up to 10 gigabits per second, which would allow someone to download a HD movie in less than three seconds! What does this mean for telecom operators? This new network will likely require massive infrastructure updates, but it offers the opportunity for many carriers – particularly those in more rural areas – to offer improved broadband services.
And what are regulators doing to prepare now?
It's still in its infancy, but 5G is a game changer. And some regulators are looking at things like spectrum auctions, enhanced competition policies and pre-5G deployments to prepare for the technology's coming of age. That said, there are issues that must be addressed before 5G can take off on a global scale. One of those pressing concerns relates to how 5G networks will handle an influx of devices while maintaining optimal performance levels. Policymakers will need to address this issue as well as many others before this revolutionary technology can come into full bloom.