03 Oct What is 5G, and What Does It Mean for You?
Superfast “fifth generation 5G” mobile Internet could be launched as early as next year in some countries, promising download speeds 10 to 20 times faster than we have now. But what difference will it make to our lives? Will we need new phones? And will it solve the dead zone issue for people in remote areas?
So, what is 5G exactly?
It’s the next, fifth-generation of mobile Internet connectivity promising much faster data download and upload speeds, broader coverage, and more stable connections. It’s all about making better use of the radio spectrum and enabling far more devices to access the mobile Internet at the same time.
What will it enable us to do?
Whatever we do now with our smartphones we’ll be able to do faster and better with higher-quality service. Imagine swarms of drones co-operating to carry out search and rescue missions, fire assessments and traffic monitoring all communicating wirelessly with each other and ground base stations over 5G networks. Many think 5G will be crucial for autonomous vehicles to communicate with each other and read the live map and traffic data.
Mobile gamers should notice less delay while gaming. Mobile videos should be near instantaneous and glitch-free. Video calls should become clearer, and wearable fitness devices could monitor your health in real-time by alerting doctors as soon as any emergency arises.
How does it work?
There are several new technologies likely to be applied, but standards haven’t been hammered out yet for all 5G protocols. Higher-frequency bands have a lot of capacity, but their shorter wavelengths mean they’re more easily blocked by physical objects.
So, we may see clusters of smaller phone masts closer to the ground transmitting so-called “millimeter waves” between much higher numbers of transmitters and receivers. This will enable higher density of usage, but it’s expensive and telecoms companies are not wholly committed yet.
Is it very different from 4G?
It’s a brand-new technology, but you might not notice vastly higher speeds at first. 5G is likely to be used by network operators initially as a way to boost capacity on existing 4G (LTE – Long-Term Evolution) networks, to ensure a more consistent service for customers. The speed you get will depend upon which spectrum band the operator runs the 5G technology and how much your carrier has invested in new masts and transmitters.
So how fast could it be?
The fastest current 4G mobile networks offer about 45Mbps (megabits per second) on average although the industry is still hopeful of achieving 1Gbps (gigabit per second = 1,000Mbps). 5G could achieve browsing and download speeds about 10 to 20 times faster. Imagine being able to download a high-definition film in a minute or so.
Why do we need it?
The world is going mobile, and we’re consuming more data every year, particularly as the popularity of video and music streaming increases. Existing spectrum bands are becoming congested, leading to breakdowns in service, particularly when lots of people in the same area are trying to access online mobile services at the same time. 5G is much better at handling thousands of devices simultaneously, from mobiles to equipment sensors, video cameras to smart street lights.
When is it coming?
Most countries are unlikely to launch 5G services before 2020, but it has already launched a commercial service. South Korea and China are aiming to launch next year with its three largest network operators agreeing to kick off at the same time. Meanwhile, regulators around the world have been busy auctioning off spectrum to telecoms companies, who’ve been experimenting with mobile phone makers on new services.
Will I need a new phone?
Yes, I’m afraid so. When 4G was introduced in 2009/10, compatible smartphones came on to the market before the infrastructure had been rolled out fully. This led to some frustration among consumers who felt they were paying more in subscriptions for a patchy service.
Phone makers are unlikely to make the same mistake, launching 5G handsets only when the new networks are ready, probably towards the end of 2019. These next-generation phones will be able to switch seamlessly between 4G and 5G networks for a more stable service.
Will it mean the end of fixed-line services?
Telecom companies have invested too much in fiber optic and copper wire fixed-line broadband to give those up in a hurry. Domestic and office broadband services will be primarily fixed line for many years to come, although so-called fixed wireless access will be made available in tandem. Think of 5G mobile as a complementary service for when we’re out and about, interacting with the world around us.
Will it work in rural areas?
Lack of signal and low data speeds in rural areas is a common complaint in many countries. But 5G won’t necessarily address this issue, as it will operate on high-frequency bands that have a lot of capacity but cover shorter distances. 5G will primarily be a public service for densely populated areas. Lower-frequency bands are better over longer distances, so network operators will concentrate on improving their 4G LTE coverage in parallel with 5G roll-out.
Commercial reality means that for some people in very remote areas, connectivity will still be patchy at best without government subsidy making it worthwhile for network operators to go to these places. Contact us to see how we can help your business make this transition.