5G hype is in the overdrive. However, the move to 5G won't happen quickly. You've probably heard a thing or two about 5G. 5G is scheduled to be launched later this year. The change from 3G to 4G may seem to be uneventful to most. But why all the hype and buzz about 5G? Is it going to be revolutionary? Is it going to leave us wanting? Well 5G will be revolutionary, so brace up.
" If 3G was like a junior high school rock band, 4G was like a louder high school rock band and 5G is a full orchestra"
What is 5G?
5G is the abbreviation for 5th generation wireless systems. The first generation of wireless systems were introduced in the 1980s and continued until being replaced by 2G digital communications. Since then, we've went from 2G to 3G to 4G and now the upcoming 5G. Below is a brief summary of the generations of wireless systems and their attributes:
1G- carried only voice
2G- signal changed to digital from analog. Phones were launched with features such as SMS and picture message (MMS)
3G- mobile internet access, video calls, mobile TV, wireless voice telephony
4G- amended mobile web access , gaming services, video conferencing, high definition mobile TV, IP telephony
Technology is advancing, networks are changing and now 5G is set to be launched soon!
HOW DOES IT WORK?!
5G is incredibly fast but as fast as teleportation. It will operate in a high frrquency band of the wireless spectrum. These waves are not as fast as the lower waves that 4G uses. But the waves of 5G can carry a lot more data at high speeds than those of the 4G network.
Until 5G, all existing 5G uses radio waves. 5G will however use bits of electromagnetic spectrum. This is the main reason why 5G is incredibly fast.
The high frequency waves of 5G cannot travel long distance as stated earlier, so it might experience difficulties trying to get across a building or any other obstacle. But this issue will definitely be addressed well before 5G becomes available worldwide by 2020.
WHEN WILL IT ARRIVE?
5G will be launched in the later part of this year(2018) but will become available worldwide by 2020. The US and China are in a race on who will be the first country to deploy 5G.
BENEFITS OF 5G NETWORK
5G is set to be a lot faster than the previous generation (4G) and will be able to handle the billions of internet of things devices.
5G will be crazy fast, crazy stable, and crazy versatile. 10Gbps speeds won't be unheard of. It'll replace home Wi-Fi networks in many cases, offering faster speeds and better coverage.
Download speed will be well in excess of 1Gbit/s . Infact, the ability to offer simultaneously 1Gbit/s to tens of workers on the same floor is one of the attributes of 5G network according to NGMN ( Next Generation Mobile Network Alliance) .
3G- 384kbps
4G- 100mbps
4.5G- 300mbps
5G- 1- 10Gps ( Theoretical)
SOME CHANGES 5G NETWORK CAN BRING ABOUT
√ Remote surgery: You've probably heard about the Da Vinci robot. The Da Vinci robot is a robot that performs surgery. It is controlled with a console used by a surgeon. The surgeon controlling the robot needs to be in the same room with the robot. With 5G network, surgeons can control the robot from several miles away. This could revolutionize healthcare for people in remote areas.
√ Immersive gaming: The gaming folks will be particularly delighted with 5G. Its incredible speed will allow for immersive and real time gaming. No lags, no technical difficulties. Online gaming will be better than ever. Welcome to a world of unique gaming experience.
√ Autonomous driving: If autonomous cars and drones are to be pushed into the public sphere, then there is a need for a constant and guaranteed connection. 5G could well provide that guaranteed connection. Welcome to a world where your goods will be delivered by drones.
CAN I USE 5G ON MY CURRENT PHONE?
NO, NO and NO. To be able to use 5G network, you will need to purchase a 5G enabled phone. The first 5G smartphones will arrive in 2019. Note that you will not be getting multi-gigabit speed instantly. The insane speed will come slowly but sure.
5G network may have a couple of challenges . For example, it is bound to be expensive. The companies that manufactured it have spent millions of dollars but of course, the price will come over time.
REFERENCES
Huffpost
5g.co.uk
Wikipedia
NINIHORLAH (Knower of Nothing)