The Complete Guide to 5G Wireless Technology and Why You Should Be Excited

The future is all about data and connectivity, from self-driving cars to artificial intelligence, telemedicine, and more undreamt technologies. The connection to the internet makes our lives easier, safer, and healthier with faster speed and greater capacity, and it’s always on. Things are about to change with the upcoming 5G wireless technology for good.

5G – the revolutionary 5^th generation of global wireless mobile network standard and cellular technology. 5G network is designed to connect practically everyone and everything from general objects to machines and devices.

The latest iteration of cellular technology increases the speed and responsiveness of wireless networks many folds. Not just speed, thousands of devices in a small area will be connected simultaneously due to improved network capacity.

Why 5G Really Matters?

The fifth generation of wireless networking technology promises a better opportunity to enable everyone to keep up with the explosion of connected gadgets and vehicles, satiate the deluge of streaming video.

5G has significantly higher multi-Gbps peak data speeds, more reliability, low latency, increased availability, enormous network capacity, and a consistent user experience for more users.

According to some estimates, the potential speeds can reach as high as 20 gigabits per second (Gbps). And latency of 1 millisecond (ms) or even lower to allow applications requiring real-time connectivity possible.

Reduced latency means more responsiveness, which means gamers will no longer see delays by the instant reflection of what they’re doing on the controller. But the main difference goes beyond the existing technologies by opening a potential for innovative and creative services.

Improved efficiency and higher performance will empower new userbase and help connect industries by bridging the connectivity gap. The technology will enable a sharp boost in the amount of data transmitted on the wireless systems.

While 4G and earlier generations of cellular technology focused on ensuring connectivity, 5G took connectivity to a new level by delivering a connected experience from the cloud to clients. Virtualized and software-driven networks highly exploit and rely on cloud technologies.

5G network will simplify mobility by offering seamless open roaming capabilities between cellular and Wi-Fi networks.

Who Invented 5G Wireless Technology?

No single entity, person, or company owns 5G wireless technology, but there are several companies within the mobile ecosystem that are contributing to the 5G revolution. Here is a brief timeline for the development of 5G technology.

5G Wireless Technology Timeline

Below are the key milestones in 5G, as identified by GlobalData.

2012 – ITU-R began work on an Internal Mobile Telecommunications Systems (IMT) development program.

2012 – Plans for the 5G Innovation Centre at the University of Surrey in the UK have been announced.

2013 – European Commission pledges €700 million ($918 million) to fund 5G networks under its Horizon 2020 program.

2015 – ITU-R announces its “vision”, including the stated IMT 2020 (5G) requirements.

2016 – Verizon completes its own 5G radio specification and unveils pre-commercial testing.

2016 – The European Union (EU) announces the “5G Action Plan for Europe”, a plan for public and private investment in 5G infrastructure.

2016 – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States approves new rules that make high-bandwidth spectrum available to 5G wireless services.

2017 – 3GPP signs the first 5G specification, a significant step towards creating 5G commercial networks.

2017 – Three major Chinese operators test 5G technology in several cities through the latter half of the year.

2018 – The Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, bring demonstrations of 5G applications.

2018 – South Korea completes a 5G spectrum auction planned to launch in April 2019.

2018 – 3GPP adopts separate 5G specifications that allow implementation where existing infrastructure is lacking.

2018 – British mobile operators spend a total of GBP 1.4 billion ($ 1.8 billion) on 2.3 GHz and 3.4 GHz spectrum auctions.

2018 – AT&T launches a 5G mobile service for customers in a dozen US cities.

2019 – ZTE introduces the first 5G-enabled smartphone in China, dubbed as the ZTE Axon 10 Pro 5G. The Middle East and the Nordic region also join the party.

2020 – With a six-month delay, another iteration of the 5G standard is completed – Edition 16 (NR Phase 2).

2020 – China builds strong global leadership in 5G subscribers and exceeds 100 million 5G subscribers in July.

2020 – 3GPP announces a likely delay in meeting Standards 17 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021 – The delayed Tokyo Summer Olympics use 5G technology to enable applications for smart cities.

2022 – Probable completion of edition 17 standards, allowing for delays.

2025 – GlobalData predicts three billion 5G mobile subscribers or 28% of the total subscriber base.

2030 – So-called 6G technology is expected to mature.

How 5G Technology Works

5G will bring in more robust and advanced technologies than the world has ever known. With quicker downloads, lower lag, and a significant impact on how we live, work and play.

Like previous cellular technologies such as 4G LTE, 5G is also OFDM-based (Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing). It will use the same mobile network principles via a system of divided cell sites that transmit encoded data using radio waves.

5G will introduce advances across the network architecture. The 5G New Radio standard will use a more capable 5G wireless air interface to cover the spectrum not used in 4G. The latest antennas will integrate massive MIMO (multiple input, multiple output technologies, enabling various transmitters and receivers to transfer more data.

Not just that, 5G technology is designed to handle a converged, heterogeneous network with software-defined platform architectures. Where the networking is managed via software rather than hardware. Advancements in cloud technologies, virtualization, and business automation allow 5G architecture to be flexible and agile to offer access to users anytime, anywhere.

With machine learning-enabled automation, 5G will enhance the digital experiences. By offering a response time of fractions of a second, 5G networks will enable the future for self-driving cars and much more. These will eventually enlist automation with ML, artificial intelligence, and deep learning.

Proactive and automated traffic management and a wide range of services will reduce infrastructure costs and strengthen the connected experience.

What’s the Difference Between 5G and 4G?

Compared to third-generation mobile networking, 4G enabled quality video streaming and chatting on the move. Consequently, people were able to watch live TV during their regular commute. Nevertheless, increasing streaming of video has caused network congestion.

4G Vs 5G Comparison Table

“4G is hitting its technological boundaries in terms of how much information it can carry quickly between blocks of spectrum,” says Chris Mills, Tutela’s head of market analysis. “One of the most significant differences between 5G and 4G is that congestion will be eradicated.”

However, 5G’s most significant distinction from 4G will be a large-scale gateway for the Internet of Things. Many additional gadgets can function safely, effectively, and uninterruptedly in the same region. However, later versions of 5G connectivity are predicted to be transformative for data-driven companies, smart cities, and network maintenance. Essentially, 5G outperforms 4G in terms of speed, latency, and capacity for a more significant number of devices, interference, and effectiveness thanks to the changes in technologies, spectrum, and wavelengths it employs.

Country-wise Penetration of 5G Technology

5G technology has the potential to serve as the backbone of the fourth industrial revolution. And the global pace of the new standard could be the same for interconnected technologies. All things considered, 5G technology is expected to contribute to the global economy with $ 2.2 trillion over the next 15 years.

With 5G at the heart of developing countries, emerging markets have made a concerted effort to prepare for the transition to a new generation of networks.

• The United States is reiterating a private sector-led strategy that has led to 4G dominance to continue its leading position in the 5G era. This approach gives operators autonomy over their own implementation strategies and methods, promotes competition and ultimately encourages innovation and investment.
• South Korea also tops the list as the second country in the world to introduce a 5G network and is on track to become a world leader in 5G penetration. The rapid introduction of 5G is the result of the government’s practical approach to regulating the telecommunications industry.
• China leads all others in terms of the largest mobile phone market in the world and is expected to become the largest 5G connectivity market in 2025.
• In India, opportunities will only be exacerbated by the rise of 5G due to rapid growth and the large size of the connectivity market, making it one of the key areas for 5G connectivity players.
• For Brazil, the real promise of 5 G’s transformative power lies in its ability to leverage the Internet of Things (IoT) at scale, making it a hub for technology players seeking new growth opportunities in 5G IoT technology.
• As a key innovation centre for many global technology titans, Mexico will become one of the largest markets in the latest generation of connectivity and technology trends.

How Can You Benefit from 5G Wireless Networking?

From offering internet access to generating complicated infrastructures, networking has progressed. Smart cities, for instance, use the Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to interconnect everything from devices, houses, and automobiles to traffic and waste collection facilities.

However, new network performance thresholds are required as the range of phones grows and the number of data increases. The wireless network depends on performance trade-offs with IoT devices on their networks, from Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to 3G to 4G LTE.

With 5G, things are changed, and in a very positive manner. Here’s how:

Speed Upgrades

Each successive generation of wireless network technology has seen a tremendous speed improvement, and the advantages of 5G—the 5th generation of mobile network innovation – well outpace 4G LTE.

When contrasted to 4G, projected speeds of up to 10 Gbps indicate a 100x improvement.

1. In practice, the speed improvements between 4G and 5G will provide customers with intriguing new options. Streaming a high-resolution video at peak downloading rates will take just six seconds instead of seven minutes.
2. That extra time may mean you can see that new popular movie before the flight crew tells you to turn your phone on airplane mode.

Customers and organizations may start to see 5G networks as a viable option for fast broadband connectivity if carriers bring out full 5G functionality.

Low Latency

Latency is the time taken for a signal to travel from its origin to its recipient and back. Reduced latency has become one of the aims of every wireless iteration. The round-trip data transmission would take less than five milliseconds on upcoming 5G networks, which will be even faster than 4G LTE.

5G latency would be quicker than human visual perception, allowing the real-time remote controlling of equipment. Human response time becomes a restricting issue for distant 5G and IoT technologies. However, the new programs will include machine-to-machine interaction not constrained by human reaction times.

However, reducing latency would aid agriculture, industry, and logistics. The pairing of fast speed and low latency is ideal for virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) programs. These programs will become increasingly popular as connection advances allow for a more continuous, interactive experience.

Increased Bandwidth

On 5G technology, the combination of higher speed and network capacity would allow for the transmission of larger quantities of data than on 4G LTE networks.

5G systems are designed substantially from typical 4G networks, enabling more internet traffic efficiency and smoother management. Large crowds have made it difficult for stadiums and other locations to guarantee uninterrupted communication, but 5G might make it feasible for sports fans to live broadcast their experience from every place in the arena.

The impact of greater bandwidth on enterprises will be seen across many divisions and departments as large datasets. Customers, vendors, and teams now send significantly more data to businesses than they can handle and evaluate for insights. These organizations can transform vast amounts of data into useful information via 5G connections and big data analytics.

Availability and Coverage

While consumers and businesses want to experience the benefits of 5G themselves, the availability of 5G coverage is still limited. Today, all major mobile operators in the US are setting up 5G networks in major cities as they prepare for wider deployment.

If 5G Eventually Succeeds, What Happens?

In the case of succession of the 5G technology, it can have severe effects on some of the world’s leading markets today. It can cause various and rapid transformations of how both humans and their robotic machines manage things. The following are some of the aspects that show how 5G can drive rapid change:

Healthcare

Patients will be able to take charge of their health, thanks to 5G. With the implementation of 5G, we may expect to see new medical technologies that allow patients to accurately assess and monitor overall health from the comfort of their own homes.

Patients will access their medical records instantly through the 5G network. They will also receive remote treatment and acquire knowledge about their care plans.

Another significant advantage of 5G is sharing huge photos and data. Wireless X-ray and MRI surgeries might be possible with 5G. It can also assist in developing virtual and augmented reality teaching solutions for complicated medical situations.

Self-driving cars

The 5G network will enable significantly quicker connections across transportation systems, paving the way to develop self-driving automobiles. In the future, they will not only be able to make independent decisions, but they will also be able to interact and collaborate.

Drones

Onboard AI systems might integrate Drones which would be a big step forward for drone abilities.  Thanks to a 5G network, faster data transfer and streaming in high definition in real-time will be possible. It can send HD imagery 100 times quicker than 4G, giving pilots high-quality images in real-time.

Virtual reality

VR requires 5G since it can transport more data without causing any disruption. 5G’s more significant bandwidth usage aims to guarantee that HD and 4K videos should not pixelate or lag. Watching films or playing online games in VR mode also doesn’t cause congestion.

IoT

Data-transfer rates will considerably improve with 5G. 5G networks will be ten times faster than existing LTE networks, according to sources. With this boost in speed, IoT devices will converse and share data more quickly than ever before.

Businesses

Businesses with fleets or machines will use IoT in conjunction with 5G to improve equipment efficiency and utilization. For example, IoT and 5G could be used by a shipping company to track a truck’s precise location in real-time. It will alert the receiver and ensure the implementation of efficiency measures.

What are Some Drawbacks of the New Technology?

The following are the potential drawbacks with the introduction of 5G network:

High Rollout costs

Within the next 5 to 7 years, fibre optic infrastructure alone could require $130 to $150 billion to implement 5G wireless connections 10 to 100 times quicker than 4G.

As per Deloitte research, substantial fibre infrastructure spending would be necessary for the United States to achieve its 5G promise.

“5G relies heavily on fibre and will likely fall short of its promise unless the US drastically expands its deep fiber investments,” states the study.  More radio frequencies and greater network density will be necessary (in other words, more cell towers and wireless routers).

Limited Access

At mmWave frequencies, efficiency comes at the expense of distance. Researchers have found that for purely standalone 5G installations, mmWave requires a proliferation of MIMO-enabled antenna arrays.

Fast battery consumption

Various elements contribute to a phone’s battery lifetime being depleted. However, battery usage is higher in 5G devices since consumers will utilize large amounts of data at higher speeds, requiring phones to use more energy.

Prone to obstructions

Because frequency waves can only travel a short distance, the 5G connection has a limited range. The obtrusions such as fences and buildings will block, disrupt, or absorb the high-frequency transmissions. The telecommunications sector is expanding current cell towers to enhance the broadcast range to compensate for this setback.

Will 5G Replace Wi-Fi?

So, will 5G replace Wi-Fi? Most likely, the two technologies will coexist for some time to come as the network continues to deploy, with organisations making strategic decisions on the evolution of their IT infrastructure.

Under certain circumstances, 5G can help address many of the pain points associated with deploying Wi-Fi. This includes security concerns, especially when users connect to Wi-Fi in public places. With 5G, you can encrypt traffic as you drive through a trusted service provider network.

Our growing reliance on mobile technology is revealing the limitations of Wi-Fi in new ways. For example, if you use Wi-Fi for a video call, you run the risk of being interrupted when you leave home and leave. 5G will provide a smoother connection to transfer traffic between networks and keep sessions unchanged.

On the other hand, Wi-Fi technology is on the rise. For example, the implementation of 802.11.ax (or Wi-Fi 6) includes features to improve performance, reliability, roaming, and bandwidth. Wi-Fi 6 is also designed to prolong the battery life of the device, allowing multiple devices on a single router and works well in crowded environments.

Is 4G Obsolete?

Like everything else, 4G will one day become obsolete.

However, there’s still some time in the future where IoT will be implemented in 4G networks. In fact, not only will it take at least ten years or more for 5G to completely overshadow 4G, but 4G LTE is a more cost-effective choice – and offers a lot of bandwidth – for most IoT applications.

The fact of the matter is that there are many 4G networks that offer seamless connectivity, premiere call quality, and generous data packages more than capable of catering to ordinary people’s connectivity needs, for instance, Talk Home Mobile.

Conclusion

The 5G Wireless Network’s benefits are numerous. Governments, corporations, and small businesses worldwide use 5G to communicate, collaborate, and engage with consumers and partners. It is time to think about how companies can take advantage of, profit from, and grow with this technology.

Frequently Asked Questions FAQs

Which companies are working on 5g technology?

Microsoft, Google, OpenMarket, Marvell Technology Inc., and others have invested considerable time and effort in 5G technology. All these companies want this technology to be more efficient and accessible.

What are the benefits of 5g technology?

With the introduction of 5G network, the world will see a much faster, more effective, efficient, productive, and enhanced data management. Whether healthcare or IoT, the various industrial sectors will dip their hands to enrich the technology to stay ahead of the curve.

Is 5g technology dangerous to humans?

Potentially, yes. Several studies have recently concluded that 5G networks include micro and radio waves. These waves can cause tissue heating, cancer, and severe effects on cognitive functions inside the human body.

Which countries are using 5g technology?

While many companies build 5G networks, South Korea, China, and the United States lead the way. According to an estimate, 5G networks will account for almost 60 per cent of mobile subscriptions in South Korea by 2025.