You’ve probably heard of 5G. Introduced in 2018 a nd now widely popular, 5G, the fifth generation of telecommunications networks, has changed how people work, communicate, and live. Used by cell phones, tablets, and more, 5G will soon become a dominant force in the world of mobile technology.
Let’s start with some history – to understand 5G and its importance, we first need to understand the previous generations of cellular networks.
Launched in the 1980s, 1G could only carry one analog voice. In the 1990s, 2G gave networks texting and picture messages. In the 2000s, 3G shook the world by turning our phones into computers, allowing them to use data and use the internet. Lastly, 4G networks were more than 100 times faster than 3G networks, and mobile network coverage was increased.
5G has even better speed, bandwidth, latency, and more.
Why Should I Care About 5G?
5G is rapidly shifting how businesses, infrastructures, healthcare systems, militaries, and consumer lives are conducted worldwide.
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What Is 5G?
5G is the fifth generation of telecommunications networks. 5G wireless technology comes with many new strengths, though it has taken time for 5G services to be implemented.
5G Improvements include:
1. Speed
While 5G speeds are better than 4G LTE speeds, with reported peak download speeds at 753 Mbps on the radio waves we currently use, 5G is not yet hugely faster than 4G on a massive scale.
Current 5G networks are most different from their 4G counterparts in regards to how many devices they can handle at once.
2. Bandwidth
A network with high bandwidth can handle more connected devices.
5G has allowed more people than ever to connect to the internet. 5G networks can support up to a million devices per square kilometer at high speeds, over20 timesthe GBs per second as 4G. Download speeds are faster and more stable because 5G technology is less likely to get overloaded and slow down. This means people can stream and download much more on 5G networks than on 4G networks.
3. Latency
Latency measures how long it takes for data to travel between two connected points. Low latency means that mobile phones and other connected devices have high loading speeds to use the internet. 4G latency was about 200 milliseconds, while 5G latency can get close to a single millisecond.
Is 5G Coverage Better Than 4G LTE?
Since 5G is a new technology, it has yet to reach the coverage that 4G currently has. However, phone companies are trying to expand 5G coverage as fast as possible. The Big Three- Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T -are performing their 5G rollouts at an impressive pace.
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How Will 5G Affect Me?
5G use is becoming more common by the day. If you haven’t already, you likely will be offered a device and plan that uses 5G cellular technology. You will have faster internet access with broader coverage, and your network connections will not slow down, even in a busy area, like a concert or sporting event. With 5G, the user experience is improved.
Plus, 5G’s emphasis on virtualization, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and cloud software fuel new technologies like self-driving cars, smart toothbrushes, virtual reality, and faster cloud platforms.
5G is also being combined with edge computing, which moves workloads away from the cloud and closer to their data sources, frequently using AI, and is also improving the Internet of Things, or IOT. The IOT is the network of connected devices and technology that allows communication between these devices and the cloud.
5G’s increased speeds are making it easier for networks to communicate while also helping us develop new technologies that will improve our lives.
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How Does 5G Work?
5G devices use radio frequencies to create wireless access. Radio frequencies range from 3 kilohertz (kHz) to 300 gigahertz (GHz). The 30 GHz- 300 GHz range of the radio spectrum, called the millimeter band because it has 1-10 millimeter waves or mmwaves, is being used for 5G.
There are three different ways to build and optimize a 5G network:
- Low-Band Network. A low-band 5G network has great coverage but is only a little faster than 4G.
- Mid-Band Network. A mid-band 5G network has a balanced amount of speed and coverage.
- High-Band Network. High-band networks have extremely fast speeds, but the signals don’t travel too effectively.
What Are Non-Standalone Networks?
Since 5G is so new many networks are combining 5G and 4G LTE networks, which are called “non-standalone networks.” Some networks also perform network slicing, which means they can split up channels between 4G and 5G based on demand.
What Is the Future of 5G?
On top of increasing the coverage and speed offered by service providers, 5G has countless current and potential use cases:
Improved Communication
5G will improve communication between both people and machines. Increased speeds, and better-quality connections, will make it easier for us to talk to one another and use our devices.
5G networks are also more secure than their predecessors, increasing personal and business security.
End-to-End Security
End-to-end encryption is a security process that protects data using an algorithm to disguise it. End-to-end security is a vital form of encryption. It is being developed to protect 5G core networks, keeping chats, messages, and other types of information sent through them secure.
5G is also being used to make data encryption faster and more effective.
New Technology
5G makes artificial intelligence and virtual reality faster and easier to operate and maintain. Making them more common will change how we live our lives.
5G will also likely impact the Metaverse by making interconnections faster and stronger. By increasing download speeds, 5G will allow augmented reality holograms, videos, and more to run more smoothly on the Metaverse. This makes the experience more stable and immersive, allowing for real-time collaboration, high-quality content, and new expansions to the Metaverse.
5G FAQs
Are There Problems With 5G?
Since 5G is still being developed, there are some areas for improvement. 5G speeds are still increasing, with some pitfalls. On some networks, 5G runs slower than 4G LTE. However, this will likely be smoothed out by wireless networks in the coming years, as telecom companies are hurrying to increase 5G coverage. There are also concerns surrounding the economic impact of 5G replacing 4G and privacy, security, and cost.
How Has 5G Improved Data Storage?
5G has improved data rates anddata storage, with 5G phones having download speeds to maximum levels of 1 GBP to 10 GBPs.
What Is a 5G Core Network?
A 5G Core is the heart of a 5G network, controlling data traffic, security, and more.
Will 5G Replace Wi-Fi?
5G home mobile broadband allows customers to connect their homes to the internet without wireless, with faster speeds than typical wifi.
Do I Need a New SIM Card for 5G?
Typically, no, you don’t need a new SIM card. Most modern phones support 5G and 4G. Just make sure your device is 5G compatible. If you are in the market for a new 5G device, consider trying out Navi’s find a phone navigator.
Who Has the Best 5G Network?
This depends on the metrics used and what you seek in a 5G network.Coverage-wise, T-Mobile is the winner, covering 53.79% of the nation, though its bandwidth is slower than Verizon or AT&T.
While its coverage is less expansive, Verizon’s 5G speeds are impressive and could theoretically hit 2.5 GBPs. Verizon’s plans can also come with a variety of perks, including Hulu, Disney+, ESPN+, Travel Pass, and Verizon Cloud storage.
AT&T is the only carrier with 5G in all 50 states, though its total coverage is less than T-Mobile.
If choosing the right 5G network seems daunting, consider Navi’s Find a Phone Plan function. We only need your zip code and current carrier, and we will find the right plan for you, hassle-free.
How Do I Turn Off 5G?
If you want to, you can go into your settings and turn off 5G. Usually, this option will live with your other network settings or as an immediate option in your general settings.
Is 5G Different From Gigabit LTE?
Gigabit LTE, also called LTE-Advanced, is different from 5G and built from a combination of LTE and Wi-Fi signals.
What Are 5G Small Cells?
A small cell is a miniature mobile wireless access point. Think of it as a smaller cell tower. In fact, small cells are usually the size of a pizza box. 5G small cells provide 5G access on a smaller scale and are useful in boosting coverage in areas with high demand for data.
Conclusion
5G makes it easier for us to communicate, work, and enjoy ourselves while also transforming our jobs, healthcare, and home lives. Streaming, gaming, talking, texting, web surfing, conducting business and commerce, and more will become faster and more effective. 4G, while still more robust, has lower latency, speed, and bandwidth.
We are using our phones now more than ever, and 5G will likely increase phone use further. It is important to be informed about cell phones and cell phone carriers. If this sounds intimidating, let us help.
To learn more about 5G, phone carriers, and phones, check out Navi. We are committed to making the search for the right phone and phone carrier easy and stress-free. With the sheer amount of phone models and phone plans, it can become overwhelming. Use our find a phone and find a phone plan feature to find the right options for you in seconds.
Sources:
What’s Network Latency and Why Does It Matter? | IBM
What 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G Actually Means | BBC
What is 3G and Why is It Being Shut Down? An Electrical Engineer Explains | The Conversation
