Your phones utilize networks to be able to make calls and use the internet while you’re on the move. These networks are regularly updated. While not active in most places yet, people have started to hear about 5G, but many people don’t know what is 5G.
What Is 5G Technology?
5G is the fifth generation of wireless technology which will be significantly faster than its predecessor the 4G technology that we are using today.
5G will provide the fastest and most reliable wireless network we have ever seen. It utilizes a type of broadband wireless communication to transmit data signals and voice signals across the world.
Making 5G possible came down to improving network infrastructure and that is one of the biggest reasons why it hasn’t been fully deployed.
To use 5G services, cell phone companies will have to implement new technology to their towers. Technology that has the potential to provide you with cell phone speeds that are up to 100 times faster than what you can find on the 4G networks today.
However, 5G wasn’t developed only to provide us with faster internet connectivity. It was also developed to help with the congestion problems that we currently have as a result of having so many people using the wireless networks.
If you go to a major city, there may be hundreds if not thousands of users in one block on their phones. That has a tendency to slow down the 4G networks.
A Little More Detail:
When the 5G networks start rolling out they will use a type of radio system known as 5G-NR (New Radio).
One of the main factors that allow 5G to be better than the existing 4G LTE networks, is the fact that it works on different radio frequencies.
The new radio spectrum for 5G networks will span between 1GHz and 100GHz. While the 4G systems only utilize the space between 1 GHz and 6 GHz.
There are many other types of technology that share the radio range below 6GHz that causes interference from time to time.
It’s also more difficult to run multiple devices at one time when you are in such a small range because they all have to share.
Coding for the radio frequencies has also changed. The new type of encoding is known as OFDM, which stands for orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing.
This makes the network communications significantly faster than that of its predecessor.
A 4G network maxes out around 45 megabits per second. The companies developing 5G networks are aiming to provide users with connection speeds around 1 gigabit per second.
That’s equivalent to top speed home internet connections which are still not available in all parts of big cities.
With this technology, you will be able to download an entire HD quality movie within in few minutes.
What Will 5G Enable?
Because 5G hasn’t been rolled out in a large scale format, there is no way to know the possibilities of what we can and can’t do with this technology.
One of the biggest possibilities that people are looking forward to is further exploration into augmented and virtual reality via cell phones.
Streaming and multiplayer, as well as both virtual reality and augmented reality will likely work over cellular networks. That means you can use your cell phone away from WiFi networks.
The merging of other technologies may also happen because routers will be able to serve as 5G cell phone towers.
And they will work together with towers to help create signals in large buildings and big cities.
The average person who uses 5G will notice faster internet speeds anytime they have a strong 5G reception. PUBG mobile fans and other mobile gamers will have less lag and a better user experience when playing their online games.
Some of the things that tech experts are speculating on is faster real-time communication between wireless devices.
Drones and robots will also be able to communicate at lightning speeds, allowing for real-time network analysis.
Another major reason we can’t speculate as to what we will be able to do is that no standards have been set.
As a result of this, developers don’t know what they will be working with or how to even start major planning. We can do rough planning but that may not be very accurate.
The Launch Of 5G Technology:
Verizon has already launched 5G technology. They have released a home internet service that allows users to experience 5G but only within their homes.
This is expected to be one of the most popular services once 5G becomes more widespread.
5G internet services will allow users to have a much higher data limit in their homes along with better speeds. This gives you another option if you’re unhappy with your internet service at home.
An option that doesn’t necessarily involve any complicated installations.
Verizon 5G home internet plans are not available everywhere. This service is currently available in Houston, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, and a number of other cities.
Even though Verizon calls the service a 5G service that may not be completely true. The device that is receiving the internet signal is receiving that signal on a 5G network.
Then it connects to the internet over a traditional WiFi network. However, your phone isn’t receiving that 5G network directly.
To make this possible, Verizon had to work with companies to develop 5G compatible routers.
So far Verizon has said that their internet service will be truly unlimited. No extra payments for the unlimited plans.
This is a change from many of the other services out there. Big names such as Comcast offer unlimited plans but it tacks on a larger price tag in comparison to what Verizon is offering.
Despite Verizon’s launch of 5G home internet services in October, they aren’t expected to win the race of wide-spread 5G deployment.
At the moment, AT&T has low-band 5G in 19 cities across the U.S.
The first 5G enabled phones were released in 2019. Motorola is currently slated to produce the first 5G enabled phone in the United States. Other manufacturers will start making 5G enabled phones shortly after that.
Even though those 5G phones were released in 2019, people who own one of these phones will not be able to get 5G services everywhere.
The infrastructure will start in the areas with the most demand. Then as 5G starts to catch on, it will expand to more and more areas.
Due to the lack of major immediate support for 5G networks, you will still see 4G networks working in parallel with the new generation networks.
This will help to prevent gaps in coverage. Without this, you may lose your cell phone signal anywhere that doesn’t have 5G.
Almost every upgrade period has had a time when backward compatibility was essential and 5G is no exception.
Experts estimate that it will take a couple of years to see service in areas that are more remote. Areas that are just outside of major cities will likely see service within the first year of implementation due to the new reach and bandwidth.
Technology is steadily advancing and 5G networks are the result of that. These networks will completely revolutionize how we use our phones and the internet. But it will still be a few years before 5G reaches its full potential.