Mobile telecommunication has evolved and come a long way since its inception, from 1G to 5G network. The first major breakthrough came in the mid-70s with what is called 1G technology, allowing people for the first time to communicate wirelessly. But that wasn’t enough better was still to come, fast forward to the 90s, 2G arrived with a lot of improvements on the initial 1G.
Not too long after this, in the late 90s, we welcomed 3G which provided better internet access for video streaming plus internet phone calls. This was thought to be the ultimate until the late 2000s, 4G rolled out this offered faster connectivity over the previous 3G. Today, we are looking toward a 5G network. But what is it? and How will it affect you?
Read more about the differences between 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G here
What is 5G network?
Simply defined, 5G network is the fifth generation of cellular or mobile network technology; you could guess that from the name right? But how is it better than 4G? Well, 5G has a higher speed and capability that not only allows it to just interconnect people but also interconnect machines, objects and devices.
How fast is the 5G Network?
According to the International Telecommunication Union’s IMT-2020 standard, 5G network is required to deliver a theoretical peak download speed of 20 gigabits per second and 10 gigabits per second upload speed. This will also mean 100+ Megabits-per-second average data rates.
However, the great thing about 5G is more than about just how “fast” it is. 5G is also expected to deliver much lower latency (the time it takes for information to reach its destination) for a quicker immediate response, and an overall more uniform user experience so that the data rates stay consistently high even when users are moving around. Moreover, the new 5G NR (New Radio) mobile network will be backed up by a Gigabit LTE coverage foundation, which will provide ubiquitous Gigabit-class connectivity. Source: Qualcomm
How 5G Network will Affect you?
5G network will spur a lot of innovations due to its enhanced capabilities, speed and latency. With enhanced mobile broadband you can hope to enjoy a better immersive experience in Artificial Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR).
With its low latency, we look forward to enjoying a better experience in Telemedicine, driverless vehicles, the Internet of Things (IoT) and other remotely controlled devices.
Is 5G safe?
One of the biggest concerns of the advent of 5G network is its safety. Many people fear that the radio frequency for 5G will be too high and unsafe for humans.
Read more about Radio Frequency Safety for Humans Here
It is understandable to have this fear since a 2011-WHO report suggested that these radio frequencies could possibly cause cancer. However, after a series of research, the US FCC chairman publishes a proposal that includes 5G networks as safe.
5G Availability
5G is expected to roll out between 2019 to 2020. Currently, some countries like the US, UK, and Australia have seen the network rolled out in some parts. On April 5, 2019, Samsung Galaxy S10 5G became the world’s first smartphone able to connect to 5G network.
It is expected that it will be more widespread within the next 5 years than it is now.
