5g, in its simplest terms, is the 5th generation mobile network following its predecessors 1g, 2g, 3g, and 4g networks. It is expected to change the way we live and work for the better. In this sense, it will be faster, more efficient, and more reliable than the previous network technology. It will also allow for more connected devices at once. One of the biggest goals of this technology is to be able to link not only people and devices, but virtually everyone and everything including machines, objects, and devices. According to qualcomm.com, this technology is being developed in order to “deliver higher multi-gbps peak data speeds, ultra-low latency, more reliability, massive network capacity, increased availability, and a more uniform user experience to more users.” There are many expectations for the 5G technology that will benefit not only our personal and professional lives, but other everyday aspects as well. Expected impacts include safer transportation, remote healthcare, precision agriculture, and digitalized logistics. For many, the most important reason for upgrading to 5G is its speed. Mobile operators expect 5G mobile download speeds to increase to the gigabits-per-second range. This is estimated to be 50 times faster than the existing 4G LTE technology widely used today.

The distribution of these 5g networks has already begun. Starting back in 2018, the networks were dispersed in the US and globally, however, they are still being developed in order to reach their full potential. While there is no one individual or company that is credited for inventing 5G, there are various companies that have been contributing to its development. Many well-known communication networks have vied for a victory as the first company to successfully use 5G. In 2019 there was a large dispute between nations and companies when South Korean officials claimed they were the first to complete a commercial launch of a “fifth generation telecoms network” before both the United States and China. AT&T Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc. both disputed this claim immediately. Both of these as well as Sprint and T-Mobile, which have officially merged, are offering 5G services. Many companies outside of mobile technology are also intending to distribute 5G devices and services. Ericsson (ERIC), Nokia (NOK), and Qualcomm (QCOM) are expected to develop substantial amounts of 5G technology in order to advantageously upgrade their equipment and business development processes.

As stated before, 5G has already been publicly distributed throughout the world. 35+ countries have already started using it and more countries work to expand it to their public each day. It is difficult to say when everyone will have access to this technology, but studies have shown that consumers are more excited about the deployment of this network in comparison to the release of 4G. Unfortunately, not every device will automatically have the option for 5G. That being said, many smartphones do not have the capability to support 5G. For Apple users, the first 5G smartphones were announced only in October of 2020: iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max. One of Apple’s larger rivals is Samsung, which released its first 5G phone back in 2019, the Samsung Galaxy 10 5G. They have continued to release a number of 5G devices. However, many brands including Apple and Samsung have earlier generations of phones that do not have the same 5G capabilities. Similarly, it is important to understand that 5G is not an update to existing mobile communication standards. According to TechRepublic, 5G is completely separate from 4G standards such as the popular LTE or WiMAX. Existing phones, tablets, or wireless modems are unable to upgrade to 5G only through tower upgrades of software updates. “Mobile network operators are deploying upgrades to its LTE infrastructure, including technologies like LTE Advanced and LTE Advanced Pro, which allow for download speeds over one gigabit on smartphones. While these are worthwhile and welcome advances, these are ultimately transitional 4G technologies and do not provide the full range of benefits of 5G NR.”

This can be very confusing so let’s talk about how 5G works. There are three methods for building and maintaining a 5G network. This depends on what assets a wireless carrier has to offer. Low-band networks cover wide areas but are only about 20% faster than 4G. High-band networks are very fast, but their signals don’t typically travel well and they tend to have difficulty moving through hard surfaces. Mid-band networks balance speed and coverage. In order to send messages and commands to and from your devices, signals travel over new radio frequencies that require radio and equipment updates on cell towers. For a fast 5G network to be successful, tons of small cell sites must be installed relatively close to one another (on light posts, walls, or towers). This is one of the reasons why it is taking a long time to deploy 5G in larger regions. If you intend to use the 5G network offered to you in the future, make sure you have a 5G compatible device.

Read up on all of the things this technology has to offer because we’ve barely skimmed the surface, especially if you are concerned with the developing technologies. There have been concerns relating to 5G’s security abilities when upgrading transportation, such as self-driving cars, and healthcare systems. Experts estimate that 5G will not have been sufficiently adopted until at least 2025, so you have plenty of time to decide what you’re looking for in a network for your devices.


Written by:

Elizabeth Wampler