The internet has ever been an evolving landscape powered by strong network connections. For this reason, cellular network technology has significantly unfolded through its five spans and every development in between. Consequently, each repetition has notably outdone the prior one. The conclusion of this is in the newest variant of cellular network technology, 5G. In this article, we will discuss the result of 5G, updates, and discoveries that make 5G the next-level technology, the aggressiveness that has pushed countries all over the world to work out 5G. After this, we will traverse the health and safety concerns due to 5G and the future scope of 5G technology.
What is 5G Technology?
5G networks are the next generation of mobile internet connectivity, advancing faster speeds and more authentic connections on smartphones and other devices than ever before.
Combining cutting-edge network technology and the latest high-specked devices, 5G should allow connections that are plenitudes faster than current hookups, with average download speeds of around 1GBps expected to soon be the norm.
The networks are expected to supercharge the Internet of Things technology, providing the foundation needed to carry huge quantities of data that allows for a brisker and more connected world.
5G networks are previously starting to appear and are expected to launch across the world by 2020, working adjacent existing 3G and 4G technology to provide speedier connections that stay online no matter where you are.
5G is the next generation of broadband network connectivity that will succeed 4G LTE. Undoubtedly, 5G’s main potential sprawls in its exponentially accelerated speed. The technology can achieve low latency on a level that is like to real-time. In other words, latency by a single millisecond. This pace makes 5G connect and communicate with extra devices at a speed human beings are not even competent of detecting without tools.
Now that we have established an idea of 5G, we will provide a succinct explanation of how it works. It is inherently different from 4G LTE because it is essential for industry use and not average consumers.
5G Spectrum
Each spectrum band embodies unique properties, meaning there are diverse opportunities for a service provider to balance between throughput, coverage, quality and latency, as well as reliability and spectral efficiency. Availability of spectrum will vary globally between countries and regions, both in terms of bands, amounts and timing.
Low-band spectrum is currently being used for 2G, 3G and 4G services for voice, MBB services and Internet of Things (IoT). Newly allocated spectrum for mobile networks includes the 600 MHz and 700 MHz bands. These bands are ideal for wide-area and outside-in coverage as well as for deep indoor coverage, typically required for eMBB and voice services.
Mid-band spectrum is currently used for 2G, 3G and 4G services. New spectrum has been broadly allocated in the 3.5 GHz band, with more spectrum purposed to be made possible in the 1.5 GHz (L-band) and 5 GHz (unlicensed) bands. Bandwidths of 50 megahertz to 100 megahertz per network command equip high-capacity and low-latency networks ideal for 5G use cases such as enhanced MBB (eMBB) and Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC), for critical IoT applications. With better wide- area and indoor coverage than high-band spectrum, the mid-band spectrum is an optimal bargain between coverage, quality, throughput, amplitude and latency. Combining the mid-band spectrum with low-band spectrum leads to exceptional network improvements in terms of capacity and efficiency.
High-band spectrum provides the anticipated leap in data speed, capacity, quality and low latency secured by 5G. New spectrum bands are typically in the range 24 GHz to 50 GHz, with contiguous bandwidths of more than 100 megahertz per network. The high-band provides a vital opportunity for very high throughput services for eMBB, localized deployments and low latency use cases, e.g. industrial IoT, venues, etc, both toward indoor and outdoor deployments. Fixed wireless access (FWA) will also benefit from these higher bands in terms of capacity. For wider-area coverage, combinations with low-band and mid-band are indispensable.
Real-world applications of 5G
Smart Cities
With 5G, cities will finally be able to connect with the Internet of Things in a way that has never existed before. Smart cities are on the horizon. Yes, they are available. But currently, they serve more of a gimmicky purpose than intended. The speed of 4G networks does not allow this tech to flourish. With the rise of 5G, smart cities will be the new standard. Automatic parking, vehicles, street lights, and many others. Not only that, innovations will come because of the level of technology at the disposal of developers. Traffic conditions will immensely improve, smart suggestions for driving around a city will be in place. Minor details like public restrooms being clean and trash pickup improving are some of the benefits of 5G Smart cities. Furthermore, power outages will also reduce.
Mixed Reality
Virtual reality and augmented reality are currently in the consumer space. However, the potential 5G brings to the table is extremely promising. 5G and mixed reality has, unfortunately not been the tech that we expected because of limitations in networks. The reality part of VR and AR is disappointing as the technology does not work at the same pace of reality. The forms of mixed reality in place cannot be used commercially beyond demos, video games, and gimmicks. They do work fine, but practical, real-world applications are currently lacking.
Autonomous vehicles
An autonomous vehicle is a vehicle that is proficient of sensing its environment and moving cautiously without the need for human interference. Through 5G, this technology can assuredly be a commercial commodity. Although good self-driving cars already endure, the current technology for the circumstances for these cars is not safe. Therefore, self-driving is not approved. Currently, self-driving cars make use of the cloud to send and receive signals that concern traffic, movement, accidents, weather, and all other possible interferences. However, the cloud is not a credible source for this. Instead, Edge computing with 5G is miles more reliable.
Smart Factories
Smart Factories do exist already. However, 5G will play an indispensable role in the development of Industry 4.0. The newest generation of industrial technology. 5G will change the way the industrial manufacturing process works. As it is, manufacturing for smart devices and machines is only limited to the factory floor in most factories. However, with 5G, this will alter to the process of design and distribution. Making the series of manufacturing complete with the use of smart technology. The customer feedback circle will also improve and result in a manufacturer seeing feedback in real-time. The location of a product will also be changed if there are hindrances to production.
The Future of 5G
As cool as 5G is, the world has many great minds that will take this technology beyond anything that has currently been conceived. As a result of this, 5G is taking the world of digital transformation to a whole new level. The developments that are imminent as a result of 5G are exciting to speculate. Essentially, 5G is the next big thing that will serve as a stepping stone for other next big things.
In Conclusion, the race for 5G and its applications shows how important this technology is for development. The world is watching and waiting to see what the future holds. As it stands, that future is extremely promising with the rise of 5G technology.