The planned successor to the 4G networks which provide connectivity to most current cell phones, 5th generation mobile network, or 5G is the new global standard. It gives you access to an updated and advanced network that is designed to connect everyone and everything virtually. It extends to machines, objects, businesses, industries, and smart devices seamlessly. This higher level of performance and heightened efficiency, in turn, makes new user experiences possible and allows quicker relay of information between points.
Besides delivering higher multi-Gbps peak data speeds, greater reliability, larger network capacity, and ultra-low latency, it promises a more uniform user experience to a higher number of users without lags and glitches.
5G versus older generation mobile networks
1G – First generation – First available in the 1980s, 1G only delivered analog voice.
2G – Second generation – On the market since the early 1990’s 2G brought us digital voice services.
3G – Third generation – 3G mobile data like CDMA2000 justifiably made waves in the early 2000s.
4G LTE – Fourth generation – The 2010s opened the floodgates to a new river of speedy mobile broadband with 4G LTE services.
While each of its predecessors worked to provide more connectivity than was ever available before, 5G has been designed with a seriously extended capacity. A more capable and unified interface, it enables next-generation user experiences, provides new deployment models, and makes new services possible.
Speedy and reliable, 5G can improve everything from remote healthcare, precision agriculture, make transportation and travel safer and more efficient, digitize logistics, and more. 5G is about to redefine reality as we know it.
How fast is it?
5G is the fastest cellular network technology developed to date. Designed to deliver peak data rates up to 20 Gbps, the truth is, speed depends on many factors. Where you are, what network you connect to, how many people are connecting to that same network, and the device you have all make a difference to the final speed.
But initial comparisons suggest Max speeds of 1-10Gbps and Average speeds of 50Mbps and above. Add to this more network capacity, lower latency for a more immediate response, and a more uniform user experience overall and you can see why it’s all anyone can talk about today.