In 2021 internet users want faster data speeds and 5G - the next-generation wireless network promises to deliver!
We all are dependent on internet connectivity for most of our works, whether professional or personal. With the increase in the demand as well as dependency on networks, everyone is looking for fast data speeds along with reliable services.
This is where the need for the 5G network arises. This next generation of wireless network assures that you can transmit big data in less time efficiently.
5G networks have the potential to deliver the data almost 40 times faster than the current 4G standard. It means with 5G, and you can easily download a high-definition film just in few seconds, which takes around 10 minutes in a 4G network.
Moreover, when you use 5G networks, there will be fewer lag times for transferring and receiving the files. These wireless networks will also boost the development of other new technologies, including virtual reality, the Internet of Things (IoT), and more.
If you want to know more about 5G, then you are in the right place. In this article, we will discuss all the aspects that you must know before you use 5G networks.
Let us discover more about 5G!
Part 1- What is 5G?
5G is the fifth generation of mobile networks that aims to speed up all the activities depends on internet connectivity. It is a new wireless standard in the G series that is made for innovation after four generations of the network.
5G technologies will allow you to build a network that is specially designed to connect virtually everyone all together. Further, it includes the fast connectivity of all the machines, devices, and other objects.
This wireless technology focuses on bringing the higher multi-GPS data with the highest speeds, more reliability, ultra-low latency, massive network capacity, as well as increased availability of the data.
Moreover, all the users will have a more uniform experience when using the 5th generation network technology. In addition, the enhanced efficiency empowers, along with the high performance of this technology, you are able to experience new users by connecting new industries.
One major question that comes most of the time is that who owns 5G? Well, the answer to this question is that no one company or a person owns it.
Who's Making 5G?
There are numerous companies that are contributing all their best efforts to bring 5G in real life. Basically, the companies whose customers want 5G or high-speed network are contributing toward making 5G possible.
All major carriers, including AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint, are working on some form of 5G deployment.
Qualcomm has played the most important role in inventing several technologies as a foundation for this network. Further, it drives the network industry forward and initiates the idea to make the next wireless standard.
In the future or by the end of 2021, the 5G will be everywhere, and everyone will have access to it.
Part 2- Why There Is Need For 5G?
Due to the everyday rise in the number of mobile users and the demand for more data, 5G is a must to handle more traffic at high speeds.
Also, the need for 5G arises due to some drawbacks of 4G networks, including speed limit and less bandwidth.
In many ways, the 5G will be better than today's LTE-Advanced networks. To understand the need for 5G, let's examine the underlying 5G technologies that demand the migration from 4G to 5G.
2.1 What are the underlying technologies that makeup 5G?
- High speed and frequencies
The big problem for the wireless network is low bandwidth. Day by day, the demand of users for more data is increasing, but networks are not able to meet that because of limited bands on radio waves.
Further, less bandwidth for more users causes slower service and more dropped connections.
This is where millimeter wave is useful. Network providers are experimenting with broadcasting the network on millimeter waves with higher frequencies than radio waves that serve today's smartphones.
But, due to some drawbacks of millimeter waves, 5G networks will need to tap into high frequencies to get to ultra-high-speed access requirements.
- Massive MIMO
The 4G base stations have a dozen ports for antennas to handle the cellular traffic. In this, there are eight antennas for transmitters and four for receivers. But, the 5G base stations can support up to a hundred ports.
It means various antennas can fit on a single array of 5G. This allows the base station to send and receive signals from more users at a time.
Also, the data rates of 3 Gbps becomes achievable without overhauling the radio technologies. This is an important and needed step due to which every network operator wants to work on 5G.
Massive MIMO is the future of 5G.
- Virtualization- NFV & SDN
Virtualization offers many benefits to network operators. It can handle the vast demands of a network and increase choices for operators as well. 5G can help send a few bytes on an infrequent basis, as well as a large data in few seconds.
This is why 5G creates needs to tie to the virtualization of network functions. Now, many operators are working on virtualizing their network—especially Internet Protocol (IP) based.
The move to virtualizing and slicing networks will gain momentum with time when 5G networks get deployed successfully.
- Full Duplex
Currently, the base stations and cellphones depend on transceivers to transmit and receive information over the same frequency or at the same time.
With 5G, a transceiver can transmit and receive data at the same time as well as over the same frequency. This technology is known as full-duplex, which can double the capacity of wireless networks.
But, the drawback to full-duplex is that the signals can cause interference, through a pesky echo. For an antenna to speak and listen at the same time needs a special echo-canceling technology like 5G.
With the above mention technologies and 5G, engineers hope to build a fast wireless network for future smartphone users, VR gamers, autonomous cars, and more.
Already, many companies have started working towards 5G to offer ultralow latency and record-breaking data speeds.
2.2 Where 5G will be used?
Let's take a look at the few sectors where 5G will be used and beneficial for the future!
- Smart cities
5G services will work as power tools that will enhance the smart city services. The features of 5G, including high bandwidth, low latency, high transmission speed, and more, are helpful in the areas of transportation, public safety, and security.
- Self-driving cars
When it comes to self-driving cars, the data needs to be transferred as quickly as possible between transmitters and receivers. Now, the current 4G network has a data transfer time between 20 milliseconds, which is 1-5 milliseconds for the 5G network.
Therefore, the low latency of 5G makes it practical for real-time driving. Also, it provides you with additional safety information including, roadworks, fast-moving vehicles, and visual obstructions to cross the street.
- VR games and AR games
5G will make AR and VR technologies much faster, with the high speed data flow. So, it is a great gift for game lovers around the world.
- Enhance productivity
The new features and technology of 5G can transform the industries in many ways. Moreover, with high-speed data transfer and a low latency rate, productivity increases in every sector of public and private industries.
Part 3: FAQs about 5G
You have gained a lot of knowledge about 5G from the above article. It is possible that you may have few questions on your mind about 5G technologies.
Check out the answer to few questions related to 5G!
Q: How much faster is 5G?
A: 5G networks will be approximately 40 times faster than the current 4G network. It means you can download a full HD movie in few seconds with 5G.
Q: Will I need a new phone to use 5G?
A: Yes, to use 5G, you will need a phone that supports 5G. it means you will need a new phone, be it android or iOS, according to your budget.
Many smartphone companies, including Samsung, Motorola, Xiaomi, Apple, and more, have made 5G-compatible phones. You can still use these phones on 4G networks until 5G comes in your city.
Q: Which phones support 5G?
Here is the list of phones that support 5G:
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra and later, Apple iPhone 13/12 and later, Samsung Galaxy S serires, OnePlus 8 Pro, Xiaomi Mi 11, Google Pixel 5, and more.
Q: Is 5G faster than Wi-Fi?
A: Yes, the 5G download speed is faster than Wi-Fi. We can say that 5G greatly improves the internet user experience with high-speed loading and unloading.
Q: Who owns 5G technology?
A: No single company or person owns 5G. Several companies or network operators are contributing to bringing 5G to life. However, Qualcomm has played an important role in inventing many 5G technologies.
Q: Is there any disadvantage of 5G?
A: With every new technology, some initial drawbacks come. But, over time, depending upon feedback, all companies try to resolve the issues. But, the benefits of 5G are more than its few drawbacks.
Conclusion
We hope that from the above article you have gained enough knowledge about 5G, underlying technologies of 5G, and its benefits. In 2021, many companies have launched smartphones that support 5G. So, there is no doubt that the future is going to be 5G soon.
Though 5G is the latest next-generation wireless network, the researchers have already started working on 6G. It is assumed that the 6G will be a hundred times faster than 5G.
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Caroline Laurent
staff Editor