What is 5G?

5G is the fifth generation of mobile networks, and is set to be faster and more reliable than today’s 3G and 4G networks. The good news is that it’s already begun rolling out.

5G, unlike its predecessors, won’t be defined by a single form of technology; rather, it will be a binding together of existing and future mobile network standards, or a “network of networks”. Among these networks will be the current advanced LTE 4G networks. The main benefit of 5G will be speed. According to EE, users can initially expect average speeds of 100-150Mbps faster than 4G, so that’s up to a whopping 240Mbps. However, once 5G is fully rolled out, EE expects speeds exceeding 1Gbps. Three is going even further, and promising up to 2Gbps on their 5G network when it launches. Some predictions claim that eventual 5G speeds will be able to hit 10Gbps. There are, however, obvious caveats associated with wireless networks. Speeds will vary based on a number of factors, including how far the user is from the base station and how many people are using the network at any one time. One other benefit of 5G will be the greater capacity compared to previous network technologies, with access to more spectrum and at higher frequencies, allowing networks to cope with high demand. 5G may also better connect rural areas that are lacking in wired broadband infrastructure, and will allow workers to work remotely.

But will faster speeds really change our lives that much? Many think it will have a huge impact on the way we live. 5G will allow users to download large movie file in mere seconds, or stream a 4K movie without buffering. 5G’s low latency and high capacity will likely mean a big leap forward in the world of virtual and augmented reality (VAR) technology. The greater capacity is also predicted to lead to an expansion of the so-called “internet of things”, with devices like cars and fridges connecting with one another. 5G has been described as fundamental to the rise of self-driving cars, with latency of around 1ms, compared to 4G’s 40-50ms. O2 have forecast UK productivity savings of £6 billion, and found that 5G-enabled products like smart fridges and driverless cars could save households hundreds in food and fuel bills. Research from Barclays has also found that 5G could add around £15.7 billion to the UK economy every year by 2025.

5G has already launched in a handful of places in the UK, but as with previous generations, at the moment its availability is incredibly limited. At present, there are 22 major towns and cities with at least one 5G mobile operator, including London, Cardiff, Belfast, Edinburgh, Bristol, Birmingham and Manchester. Further locations are expected to roll out throughout 2020 and 2021. However, not all mobile users will be able to take advantage of 5G; you’ll need a dedicated handset. At present, there are only around ten such handsets, but Apple’s iPhone 12, launching in 2020, is widely expected to feature 5G capabilities. In short, it will be a few years before 5G technology can be enjoyed by everyone everywhere.