Almost a decade in the making, the 5G revolution is finally here. Carriers in the US began delivering fixed 5G options to locations in 2018. This year and in 2020, we can expect to see an increasing number of sites with 5G connectivity.
As the next generation in mobile broadband, 5G has the potential to update and even replace your 4G connection. Not only will the solution deliver faster upload and download speeds, but it will also reduce latency dramatically. On top of that, some experts predict that 5G will lead to evolutions in everything from self-driving cars to smart cities and virtual reality.
Already major telecommunications companies are making huge investments into 5G, seeking out faster speeds, better connections, and greater access to the cloud.
What is 5G?
5G is a next-generation wireless network technology designed to give phones and mobile devices a better connection. 5G is up to 100 times faster than 4G, which means you can stream everything from 8K to 3D movies on your phone. Of course, there’s more to what’s possible with 5G than smartphones. Companies are also using the latest tech to unlock opportunities in cars, robotics, sensors, and AI.
The 5G network uses high-frequency airwaves to deliver better bandwidth and speed. However, they’re not perfect yet. They can get considerably weaker over distances and can’t travel through walls or windows.
Though there are some limitations to 5G, it will be pivotal in reducing lag time and latency between devices and the servers we use each day. Today, the majority of networks only take seconds to receive and send communications between systems and devices. However, gadgets that frequently communicate with networks need zero latency to accomplish incredible things. With zero latency, self-driving cars can process information instantly and make life-or-death decisions about how to handle traffic.
5G also offers faster access to the cloud, providing much of the storage and computing power that would have to be done by next-level devices themselves. This saves a lot of energy and space in modern appliances. 5G networks bring data storage closer to devices and ensure quick access to information. This could improve experiences in everything from VR technology, to AI-enhanced healthcare and surgery solutions.
5G Trends
According to reports by MarketsandMarkets, the 5G infrastructure environment will be worth $33.72 billion by 2026. It’s growing at a compound annual growth rate of approximately 50.9%. Contributing factors include a growing demand for machine-to-machine communications, mobile data services, and better coverage. Some of the trends supporting 5G include:
1. New IoT Opportunities
Connected devices and the Internet of Things are quickly changing the way that modern business is done. From managing production more efficiently to improving delivery speeds, IoT helps companies to increase profits and efficiency. 5G networks are being built to cater to the increasing demands for connectivity implemented by IoT. Because they allow for fantastic device to device communications, 5G solutions will help to enhance and improve the capabilities of an IoT solution in the business world. Additionally, thanks to the technical improvements in networks, 5G will also deliver better energy efficiency than existing network standards. This means that IoT devices will last for longer periods.
2. Advanced Technology like Autonomous Cars
The incredible connectivity offered by 5G networks is expected to lead to a new generation of communication solutions. Fully autonomous cars are currently on the horizon, which means that drivers won’t need to control their own vehicles for much longer. Additionally, 5G will also be the medium on which augmented reality, and virtual reality services are built.
Enhancing business meetings through augmented reality will be a genuine option for 5G-enhanced companies. Innovators will be able to bring a new level of immersion to video conferencing and enterprise communication strategies.
3. Changing Devices
Many experts believe that our connected headsets, desk phones, and even smartphones will begin to evolve with the adoption of 5G too. Flagship phones will start to be introduced with a specific focus on leveraging 5G technology. These devices will come with more dependable connections, and greater onboard options to move memory requirements into the cloud.
This may affect the prices of mobile technology too, as there will be less of a need to build-in physical storage with next-gen devices.
4. Smart Cities
The transformative potential of 5G also means incredible things for the smart cities of tomorrow. Countless companies are now experimenting with opportunities delivered through 5G and sensor solutions. Access to 5G could transform the experience that we have in the city each day, with IoT connected traffic lights that can eliminate bottlenecks on the road, and autonomous delivery trucks and cars on the road.
IoT sensors within delivery trucks could even notify customers as drivers begin to approach their delivery destination.
5G Statistics
5G is still a relatively new concept, although it’s been in development for some time. Currently, the statistics available for the tech are limited but impressive. For instance:
- 5G networks will cover 40% of the globe by 2024 and handle 25% of mobile data traffic.
- Data speeds can increase to 10GBs compared to the 1Gbs available from 4G
- Latency will radically drop from 50 milliseconds to 1 millisecond
- 5G will have 1,000 times the mobile data volume of 4G
- Operators will spend $1.7 trillion on upgrades to equipment by 2020
- Japan is striving for a commercial 5G network by 2020
- 5G subscriptions will increase to 2.61 billion by 2025.
5G Hashtags Used on Social Media
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