5G technology, which will lead to faster data downloads and greater
connection speeds, will usher in an era of hyper connectivity and transform
how we live and work on our planet.
This article will explain exactly what 5G technology is, how it’s being
used, and why its introduction will have a massive impact on the
telecommunications industry.
What is 5G technology in simple terms?
|
| 5G Technology |
It will be much faster than previous iterations, allowing for higher
bandwidths, quicker connection speeds and greater reliability.
Put simply, 5G will allow your smartphone to connect faster and more
seamlessly than ever before; you’ll be able to stream live video without
buffering issues or download large files in seconds rather than
minutes.
But another aspect that’s often overlooked is improved latency, which
means that people should experience less lag time when playing games
online or using virtual reality systems.
What is 5G technology used for?
5G technology will facilitate incredible changes in how we live, do
business, and interact with each other. These profound transformations
will occur because 5G is designed to offer unparalleled speed, capacity,
reliability, and ultra-low latency for all types of devices.
A massive upgrade from today’s 4G/LTE networks and moving into uncharted
territory for wireless communications worldwide.
Who invented 5G?
While fathers and mothers of certain technologies are often debated, 5G
was invented by an international consortium called The Third Generation
Partnership Project (3GPP).
The group comprises members from wireless carriers and manufacturers, as
well as technology and media companies.
Although there were other previous wireless generations before 3GPP’s
vision for 5G, it has been referred to simply as 5G since about
2010.
Each successive generation represents a significant increase in data
transfer rates, with each capable of greater download speeds than the
last. Currently, 4G LTE provides download speeds of around 100 megabits
per second (Mbps) on average – but this will change dramatically with the
introduction of 5G networks.
How is 5G transmitted?
5G will be transmitted wirelessly through millimeter-wave because waves
shorter than 1 mm can’t be sent through cables. Millimeter waves are
between 30 GHz and 300 GHz, but 5G is expected to use only high-frequency
bands below 200 GHz.
Something about these bands—which carry more data at faster speeds than
4G and 4.9 G networks—makes them perfect for 5G connections.
(source)
What are the disadvantages of 5G?
While 5G promises greater speed and performance, it raises some important
questions. One primary concern is security, given that many experts
predict 5G will make people even more vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Before
taking full advantage of its benefits, users must figure out how to
protect themselves from an ever-increasing number of threats.
There are other concerns too. For example, 5G signals don’t travel as far
as the current 4G signals, so they might not be able to reach remote areas
with no 4G coverage.
Why do some countries ban 5G?
Some countries have banned 5G because of concerns over potential health
hazards and negative environmental impacts. In Switzerland, for example,
5G networks have been turned off until 2022 due to public
opposition.
This might seem premature, considering most countries don’t even have 5G
networks yet. But with scientists already warning that we need to limit
exposure to wireless frequencies, such bans could prove prescient as more
and more people begin using 5G devices.
How 5G will change the world?
The most obvious way 5G will change your life is by making it faster.
Expect download speeds that are around 10 times faster than 4G. For
comparison, with 4G, you could stream an episode of Game of Thrones in
less than 30 seconds, while downloading a 5GB movie on 4G would take
around 40 minutes.
With 5G, this time would be cut to five or six minutes. What’s more,
latency rates – the time taken for data to travel between devices – will
be reduced by as much as tenfold, and we’ll have access to even more
spectrum, meaning wider coverage and more capacity.
