The BOOKMARK defines the 5G technology. The new generation of 5G aims to achieve super-fast download speeds, high reliability, and extremely low latency. Perhaps more interestingly, the new capabilities of 5G wireless will make mobile competitive with wired broadband networks, and bring wireless first strategies to completely new markets.
Wireless telecommunication is always driving forward in search of the next great thing. Presently, the 5th generation of wireless technology developing will deliver super-fast and ultra-reliable new digital features.
5G network speeds promise that the digital world is set to become wireless first. The technology’s promise of speed and reliability will transform the way that data moves across industries that are ripe for digital disruption.
5G, also known as fifth-generation cellular wireless, is the fifth iteration in wireless technology (following 4G or the fourth generation). The defining characteristic that sets each generation apart is their “data transmission speed” or the speed at which data is transmitted over a network. As each generation is launched, the speed that data can be transmitted becomes faster, meaning 5G will have the fastest data transmission speeds over any of the previous generations. It will also provide users with not only greater speed but also be more responsive and allow more devices to be connected at one time.
The potential of the first generation of wireless networks was unknown at its launch. Those analog voice networks were remarkable achievements for the time; even without any of the additional features we now take for granted.
The innovations that followed in the nineties made it possible to encrypt transmissions for voice and data. Since that time, 3G and 4G LTE have evolved wireless networks along a trend of increasing features and capacity to the present day.
Now, with the introduction of 5G technology, wireless is set to expand beyond mobile telecommunications. It is the natural progression from previous iterations.The power and capacity of the technologies that underlie 5G endow it with the potential to be much more than just a new mobile data standard.
When will 5G be available?
The question of 5G availability still has no definitive answer. Mobile phone carriers plan to roll out the first 5G wireless services incrementally in 2019. However, Apple’s iPhone will not support 5G until at least 2020.
While some of the features of the 5G network can be rolled out on existing 4G infrastructures, they will not achieve the full benefit until the carriers make substantial investments in new equipment and network fiber. So, truly innovative services that take full advantage of higher 5G speeds may not be available until late 2020.
How fast is 5G?
5G allows access to the higher end of the RF spectrum, which will make it possible to have download speeds of up to 1 GBPS indoors and 300 MBPS outside. The wireless service providers plan to achieve this by deploying a dense network of extremely high-frequency antennas. Soon there will be sub-millimeter antennas attached to existing towers, lampposts, buildings, and any other high point within reach.
What the blisteringly fast 5G network speeds means for consumers is moving massive files, very fast. For example, users will be able to stream several 4K movies at once or download a full-length cinematic film in half a minute or less.
Fortunately, the gains in efficiency and utilization will help to offset the cost of the new infrastructure. Greater energy efficiency means cooler operating temperatures, hence less energy expended on active cooling for base station equipment resulting in lower costs.
The need for large amounts of capital to invest in new infrastructure gives wireless service providers strong incentives to exploit new opportunities and business models. This, in turn, will drive the adoption of 5G beyond mobile wireless, and in pursuit of wireless home internet customers, edge computing, and machine-to-machine communication. The additional revenue will help to justify the capital investment that makes 5G possible.
The Benefits and Effects of 5G Networks
5G speed and fidelity will reduce latency and increase reliability, facilitating critical control for remote industrial, medical, and vehicle safety applications. In addition to enhanced mobile broadband, it will also enable more simultaneous connections to networks. Finally, 5G will provide broadband access to fixed sites, where wired solutions are not economically viable.
McKinsey predicts a host of broad economic benefits to all parties in the communications value chain. Local governments, equipment manufacturers and installers, backhaul providers, Over-The-Top service providers, and handset manufacturers will all benefit by contributing to the creation of new hardware, software, and content that will become possible at 5G network speeds.
It is predicted that 5G will support 22 million jobs and contribute $12.3 trillion to the global economy by 2035. The result will be the transformation of traditional bricks and mortar industries as they invest in new digital infrastructure.
The near future promises to bring new uses that have not begun to emerge at this point, but which will be evident once the technology has matured. As new hardware rolls out it will help service providers keep up with emerging technologies such as IoT, make it possible to get the most value and functionality from new tech.
5G is the telecom industry initiative to build on existing data transfer technology and keep pace with the demand for wireless broadband connections. It is not, however, just the smartphone market that will draw on the high data rate capacity of 5G. The goal is an eventual standard that supports data rates of ten gigabits to smartphones and any other device that employs wireless for data.
New business models for wireless will emerge as 5G wireless grows to dominance, in addition to those that are already available on 4G networks. Reliable and fast connections mean that the gigabyte-sized files of movies, games, and VR will download quickly. The new capacity will support autonomous vehicles, streaming 4K videos, mixed reality, and the high-density concentrations of IoT devices.
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Why 5G won’t replace the fiber optic technology anytime soon?
While its impressive speed can compete with the wired broadband, it won’t replace it anytime soon and here’s why:
Security
Why switch to a cellular network when you can keep your entire data safe with the help of the already proven fiber optics? Many businesses use a secured Wi-Fi for LAN integration. Broadband is considered to be the safest environment for file sharing and communications.
Coverage
A well-designed Wi-Fi internet installation covers the entire office or home space, even in the basement. Cellular networks need and additional cell or distributed antenna systems for a similar result.
Flexibility
The use of Wi-Fi is more flexible and accessible. You can purchase the services and get it delivered at home or at your office via fiber or coaxial cable. You can even access it in stores, hotels, restaurants, even on busses and trains.
When it comes to 5G, a paid subscription to your mobile network supplier is the only option.
Compatibility
For the 5G connectivity, you will need to buy new devices that can accommodate it. Right now there are numerous tables, smartphones, TVs, PCs, printers and many others that use Wi-Fi. Even the latest technologies come with a built-in preference for Wi-Fi. See, no one is trying to replace fiber optic.
