It doesnt seem long ago when telecom companies were prepping their networks for the next wireless standard of the time 4G. Here we are on the eve of 5G. About 100 telecom operators around the world have already started preparing for the adoption of 5G technology.
This information comes from the Ericsson Mobility Report, which also estimates there will be 28 billion connected devices around the world by 2021. Nearly 16 billion of that total will be IoT-enabled devices. If the estimates are correct, we will certainly need the new wireless format to keep up. The report also claims that standardization for 5G has already begun, and if things remain on schedule, it will be completed by 2020. But just what is 5G? What does it mean for the rest of us?
5G Will Change the Game
The G in 4G and 5G if you havent already figured it out stands for generation. In the early 1990s, when wireless phone technology first appeared, the first generation began. The second generation, or 2G, started when phones were able to send text messages between devices.
Eventually, telecom providers moved on to the third generation or 3G which allowed people to do just about anything with their phones, including calls, texting and even browsing the internet. The fourth generation enhanced those capabilities by providing faster wireless access and better connectivity which is why youre able to stream content via services like YouTube, Netflix, and Hulu no matter where you are. LTE, or long-term evolution was added to the 4G moniker to indicate an even bigger boost in performance.
Finally, we have 5G, or the fifth generation. It will build upon the 4G LTE technology to significantly increase connection and browsing speeds. Data transfer speeds will increase, which means it wont take as long to share Ultra HD or 3D videos, HDR-quality photos and more.
With the emergence of so many new technologies 4K photos and videos are a great example it warrants a speed boost. Plus, it will provide even more support for all those internet-ready and IoT devices hitting the market.
What Will 5G Offer That 4G Doesnt?
Lets break it down in laymans terms and be honest. There are a lot of things that mobile phones even smartphones struggle with when it comes to wireless connections.
For example, gaming requires low latency to reduce network and input lag. Thats why most gamers prefer to use a LAN or wired connection for their consoles and PCs this includes laptops. The current 4G technology just doesnt offer the kind of low latency needed to not only play games accurately but also to enjoy them. Its frustrating when a connection drops or experiences performance issues.
However, 5G will allow the kind of high-performance connections needed to enjoy gaming on mobile networks. Were, of course, talking about console-quality gaming here and not mobile gaming.
But this also applies to IoT equipment, smart tech and more. Connected cars need access to an ultra-low latency network to handle communications. Even a minor hiccup could cause serious issues, like an accident. Simply put, 5G will offer the kind of speed and capacity gains needed to handle these activities.
When Will 5G Be Ready?
Currently, 5G is still immature. Wireless companies are still in the testing and prototype stages of working with the technology. But were getting closer to widespread adoption. Vendors have cited a goal of 2020, which is when they plan to roll it out to consumers.
Samsung recently completed several prototype tests using 5G. Other carriers are preparing to start 5G trials this year if they havent already. Its not just wireless providers experimenting with the technology, either. Researchers from New York University were able to get 5G millimeter waves to travel more than 10 kilometers.
What Benefits Will 5G Deliver?
According to Verizon execs, 5G will provide about 50 times the throughput of current 4G LTE, latency in the single milliseconds. In turn, it will be able to handle exponentially more Internet-connected devices which should accommodate the [] explosion of the Internet of Everything.
Wow! About 50 times the speed and performance!
That will significantly impact your experience with wireless networks. Imagine finally being able to do some of the things you couldnt do before on a smartphone.
Furthermore, over 80% of all executives believe 5G technology will have positive effects on their business, in multiple areas. This includes areas like customer support, worker productivity, and even product quality.
For example, lets take a look at wearables. Some more advanced wearables offer a standalone experience, tapping into mobile wireless networks. But they use 3G and 4G technology, so theres a certain amount of latency or delay in how they operate. Something like the Kigo which is a child-friendly GPS tracker would benefit from 5G access. Parents could almost instantly ping the location of the device and find their child.
Smart cars and self-driving vehicles will also need a near-instant connection to function properly, as we discussed above.
What Will 5G Innovation Mean for the World?
Lets forget the business side of things for a moment and consider what 5G technology will do for the world at large.
Imagine how connected you are now how fast you can access the internet, send a text message or video call family. 5G will deliver up to 50 times the performance of 4G LTE, which means those experiences and those connections will all be seamless.
Youll be able to access Ultra-HD quality content on the go, with little to no latency. The implications of such a thing are beyond our imagining, at least right now.
Hopefully, by 2020, well know for sure.