5G Is Here
5G is the next generation of internet connectivity, and it's here to stay. Much like how 4G changed the way we connect to the web with significantly faster speeds than 3G and vastly improved bandwidth and user capacity, 5G will revolutionize the way we think about mobile and home connectivity.
This new internet technology will play an instrumental role in supporting the vastly growing usage of IoT technology and devices that require huge amounts of data. Carriers have already started deploying 5G networks and working with current 3G and 4G networks, many 5G Networks are expected to go live around the world before 2020.
What is 5G wireless?
The fifth generation of cellular networking based on a set of standards laid out by the ITU (International Telecommunication Union) and the 3GPP. It consists of two types of ‘New Radio' networks:
- Non-standalone, which utilize existing LTE networks and infrastructure.
- Standalone, which involves the implementation of completely new infrastructure in areas where the infrastructure either can't support 5G connectivity or it simply doesn't exist.
How will 5G Networks be set-up and launched?
Carrier aggregation. Used to increase network bandwidth and increase bitrate.
Multiple Antenna Arrays (MIMO & Massive MIMO). Allows for higher millimeter wave frequency spectrum bands.
What are the potential benefits of 5G networks vs 4G LTE?
- Up to 10Gbps data rate
- 10-100x improvement over 4G networks
- 1-millisecond latency
- 1000x bandwidth per unit area
- 100x more connected device capacity per unit area vs 4G LTE
- 90 percent reduction in network energy usage
What are the main benefits of 5G?
Massive device connectivity and bandwidth. 5G networks will be more capable of handling and managing devices that use large amounts of data. The explosion of IoT devices in the last few years has fueled this growing need for networks that are not only faster but can also handle more users and devices.
Reliability. Devices that require instantaneous transfer of data such as self-driving cars or robots will heavily depend on a 5G network that can handle processing large amounts of data in as little time as possible.
Low-latency. Latency is the lag between when you tell a device to do something and when said device completes the task.
Improved capacity and coverage. Implementing more connection points in a smaller footprint will help boost capacity and ultimately, improve the user experience.
What is the difference between 3G, 4G and 5G?
Each generation of wireless technology have been defined by their data transmissions speeds along with any changes in encoding methods which would make a device incompatible with the previous generation of cellular networking.
- 1G – Analog Cellular.
- 2G – first generation of digital cellular technologies (CDMA, GSM, TDMA).
- 3G – Brought faster speeds up to a few megabits per second (EVDO, HSPA, UMTS).
- 4G – Big leap forward from 3G, bringing with it data transfer speed capabilities of hundreds of megabits per second (WiMAX, LTE).
- 5G – New aspects such as greater speed, lower latency, and greater bandwidth (ability to connect more devices at once and on the same network) make it stand out from 4G.
What's hot in 5G and who's using it?
5G – much like 4G networks – will transform the way we look at cellular data. Experts have already started predicting its potential impact across many industries: particularly finance, healthcare, manufacturing, transportation and retail.
Financial services: 5G will serve banks and other finance companies in several capacities, such as through wearable technology (i.e. making transactions through smart watches) and secure and instant data transfer. The low latency, high data capacity and reliability of 5G networks will help create a new platform for delivering financial services to customers from anywhere.
Healthcare: The healthcare industry continues to experience a surge in innovation and digitize operations. Data usage and transfer continues to increase amongst healthcare professionals. 5G is expected to help hospitals and other health providers meet these growing demands and help with things such as transmitting large files, the expansion of telemedicine, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
Manufacturing: The factories of the future – smart factories – will be filled with sensors, each monitoring different aspects of the working environment. They'll also feature connected tools, using information ranging from location to accelerometer data to understand where and how they're being used, to guide workers accordingly. 5G's high capacity, wireless flexibility and low-latency performance make it a natural choice to support manufacturers in these environments.
Transportation: 5G technology has the potential to provide increased visibility and control over our world's transportation systems. The combination of low latency, high capacity, and reliability will enhance how goods and people travel by unifying network protocols, improving safety and reliability, and providing end-to-end connectivity across cities around the world.
Retail: Innovative trends and personalization are reshaping the retail shopping experience and the companies that run these retail stores need a network that can handle the influx of data. Adding 5G technology to an existing network architecture can help power new offerings that many retailers are beginning to provide, such as VR and AR, as well as personalized improvements to the hospitality industry.
How can businesses leverage 5G networks?
Businesses can make many cases in why they should deploy 5G networks within their organization. Providers such as AT&T and Verizon have already begun sketching their deployment plans for their 5G Networks. Below are some of the strongest cases businesses can make for upgrading to 5G networks.
Higher broadband speed: With 5G networks put in place, businesses can give their employees the ability to access high-speed broadband from their homes or offices. This is especially useful in areas where traditional fiber networks don't work and is also a cost-effective way of expanding coverage and network capacity.
Industrial Internet of Things (IoT): Any business that operates factories and manufacturing facilities will greatly benefit from 5G technology. In contrast to today's wired infrastructure, the industrial world of the future will see an increased usage of machinery with wireless connectivity – ultimately decreasing clutter and increasing facility capacity.
Encourages better business communications: For small businesses that rely heavily on fast and reliable connections for productivity and success, 5G is second-to-none. Its incredibly fast speeds will help businesses to generate new opportunities through instantaneous communication between customers, clients and co-workers.
Better recruiting: 5G can also have the potential to improve the way businesses recruit new employees due to advancements in video and remote business technology. Business owners and hiring managers can easily identify, interview and recruit the best talent from all over the world as well as keep them better connected to employees who don't work on site.
Ultimately, the mobile network landscape has evolved rapidly over the last decade and it's difficult to keep up with the latest and greatest in mobile technology. Our technology experts and advisors at Converged Communications can guide you and provide you a better understanding of what a 5G networking solution could do for your business. If you'd like to learn more about 5G or other networking solutions, contact our team of experts today by calling 877-598-3999 or emailing sales@convergedsystems.com.
