5G, the fifth generation of wireless technology, represents a whole new paradigm for mobile networks. Faster connections, lower latency, and more devices connected to the internet at one time than ever before can all be expected with 5G. Our mobile user experience will be ready to change significantly with the introduction of 5G (from how we watch movies, to how the city works).
5G technology transmits at higher frequencies than 4G wireless technology so that the latter uses frequencies up to 6 GHz and 5G operates on frequencies between 30 GHz and 300 GHz (or more). These higher frequencies are known as millimeter wave technology. This frequency allows for very large amounts of data to be transmitted at once resulting in very high internet speeds and increased user experience.
5G may appear simply as a minor advancement to our phones, but 5G matters for a whole lot more than the phone in your pocket. The Internet of Things (IoT) means that commonplace objects are now connected to the internet. With 5G, your refrigerator could talk to your grocery list account, and when it s time to buy another gallon of milk, your fridge could remind you! Connectivity like this will not only make life go faster, but it can greatly enhance your experience.
Understanding how 5G works is important to dispel some myths regarding 5G. 5G is not just an upgrade or enhancement (advancement) of 4G. In fact, 5G has a completely different characteristic, where the 4G network contained primarily less cell segmented large cell towers (instead of many more small cells included in 5G). Small cells are shorter, cannot be affixed very high (say approx. 15 feet), but can sit on top of a utility pole, can hang off a street-light, etc. Thus, 5G networks are uniform, which allows networks to operate better in dense (urbanized) environments compared to 4G. 5G networks have far more and many more small cells as compared to 4G; this is the primary reason 5G is different.
Faster Speeds: 5G is supposed to be able to reach download speeds upwards of 10 Gbps! That’s insane! I don’t know about you, but let me know when I can use my device to download a full-length movie in seconds!
Reduced Latency: 5G can dramatically decrease the amount of time a device takes to communicate with the network, meaning, you’ll likely notice better online gaming, or video calls that didn’t used to drop out.
Added Connection Density: 5G can accommodate 1 million devices in a square kilometer! This is a great news for a world increasingly filled with devices with connectivity, like smart homes and smart cities.
While 5G can deliver many benefits, it also raises questions about health implications with the proliferation of small cells. However, multiple studies have indicated 5G technology is safe and operates within accepted safety margins.
5G is not just faster for your smartphone. It is a technology advancement that has the potential to change how we live and connect with our environment. planning and building our cities, 5G allows for the evolution of smart cities with infrastructure where traffic lights respond to the volume of cars. In traffic situations, this would ease congestion and assist in bettering the environment. In health care, the benefits are significant, too. With the latency that 5G provides, telemedicine can develop into real-time robotic surgeries where a physician is operating with robotically controlled instruments from thousands of miles away.
In transportation, 5G will be foundational for autonomous vehicles. Autonomous vehicles must constantly assess an abundance of surrounding data, and without 5G’s fast, stable connection, split-second decisions cannot take place to provide safety and effectiveness. 5G will develop our digital experiences as well: augmented reality and virtual reality. Whether it is immersive games, personnel training avatars in simulated environments, or virtual tourism, 5G enhances the experience; higher bandwidth and lower latency just makes it better!
The spread of this technology to all parts of the globe will assure innovation – much of which we cannot even conceive of at the moment. The future of connectivity with 5G is wide open with the potential for innovation in everyday living, and while there are myths and misconceptions surrounding it, 5G is not simply a craze – it is a pathway to a more connected and at the very least, an intelligent world. At this point, the best course of action is to continue to be engaged and curious about what 5G could offer.
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