Several giant technology companies are on the race to develop the fifth generation mobile network (5G). Interestingly, this implies that there are possible rooms for remote surgery, driverless cars, adequately connected smart cities, and the "internet of things" IoT.
While 5G is expected to go inline with the 4G and 3G mobile network, indeed, there will be a huge difference. 5G will solve the problem of apps stalling, slow downloads sign, video filtering, and other significant issues.
The Superfast "fifth generation 5G" mobile internet could be rolled out in some countries anytime next year, with the potential to increase download speeds 10 - 20 times faster than what we have today, as well as to enhance our internet experience.
Now, this brings us to the primary reason for this content. What difference will 5G make to our lives? If fully rolled out, do we need to get new smartphones? Is 5G the solution to "notspot" issues for people in remote locations?
Thus, in this post today, we will deliberate on the concepts of 5G network and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the fifth generation (5G) network model.
Frequently Asked Questions About 5G Network
What is 5G exactly?
In a simpler term, 5G is a fifth-generation mobile network technology that intends to offer broadband access. According to the definition given by the industry association 3GPP, any system that uses 5G New Radio (“5G NR”) software is regarded as "5G”.
5G cellular internet connectivity purports to offer more comprehensive coverage, faster data uploads and download speeds, and more stable connections over the internet. This is all about, the better usage of the radio spectrum and allowing devices to access the internet at the same time.
How best to understand this superfast 5G network?
The term "harmonization of the radio spectrum" seems to be the key for a better understanding of the 5G network.
Data is usually transmitted through Radio waves. Notably, these Radio waves are being split up into ranges - or bands - of different frequencies.
Each of these bands is reserved basically for a particular type of communication, which includes mobile data, television broadcasts, aeronautical and maritime navigation signals. Further, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) is responsible for the regulation of these frequency bands usage.
As seen today, the Radio frequency spectrum has been in a mess, amid the day-to-day growth of technologies. The frequencies for the new development to use have been squeezed into its gaps. This resulted in problems we have with connection reliability and speeds.
To prepare grounds for 5G, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) is comprehensively restructuring the different parts of the Radio network, that is essential for the transmission of data. Even at this, the pre-existing communications, such as the 4G and 3G networks will continue to function.
What will it enable us to do?
5G features broadband access. Hence we can be able to carry out some stuff over the internet in a better and faster way. It creates the opportunity of mobile virtual reality, developing smart glasses that features augmented reality, IoT making cities smarter, high definition quality video, and a lot more.
A 5G network can power the co-operation of drones to carry out rescue missions, traffic monitoring, fire assessments, etc., via wireless communication with each other and the ground base stations.
Possibly, 5G can stop the issue of colliding by self-driving lorries. A lot of people believe 5G will be crucial for self-driven vehicles to communicate with each other and accurately read traffic data and live map.
Having 5G integrated will solve the delay in button response while playing online games, make mobile videos glitch-free and near instantaneous, less jerky and more explicit video calls.
How does 5G work?
There is a significant number of latest technologies likely to be involved. However, the standards have not been defined yet for all 5G protocols.
It was noticed that Higher-frequency bands of about 3.5GHz (gigahertz) - 26GHz and above, have higher capacities but with short wavelengths. So, they have a lower range. Hence, they can easily be blocked by real objects.
As a possible solution, there may be clusters of a smaller phone that will be mast closer to the ground. It will transmit a so-called "millimeter waves" between a high number of receivers and transmitters.
This effort will prompt high density of usage, but unfortunately, it is costly and most telecommunication firms are not fully committed yet.
Is it very different from 4G?
Correct! It is another brand of radio technology, but at first, you may not notice higher speeds. This is because 5G in some cases, was initially used by network operators to boost the capacity on the existing 4G (LTE - Long-Term Evolution) mobile networks, on the bid to ensure consistent service to customers.
To determine the speed, it calls for the spectrum band used in running the 5G technology by the operator and the number of new masts and transmitters your carrier has invested on,
So how fast could it be?
Currently, the 4G mobile network with the highest speed rate has an average of 45Mbps (megabits in a second), despite the fact the industry still hopes to achieve 1Gbps (gigabit in a second = 1,000Mbps).
The Chipmaker Qualcomm reckons 5G mobile network, could achieve a faster download and browsing speed, about 10 - 20 times in real-world conditions. This data is for 5G networks built alongside 4G LTE networks.
The Standalone 5G networks that operate within a very high frequency ( about 30GHz) can have gigabit-plus browsing speed.
Why do we need it?
You wouldn’t like to exhaust your data while trying to download or stream videos online, or do you?.
Mobiles are dominating the world today, and we burn a lot of data daily. Sometimes on music streaming, online video games, and trending videos. Now, when everyone is trying to access a particular service online, it can lend to the congestion of the existing spectrum bands, thereby causing breakdowns in service.
5G is the ideal, to hand and process thousands of devices at a time, ranging from a video camera to smart street lights, and from mobile phones to equipment sensors.
When is it coming?
From the look of things, a lot of countries might fully roll out 5G services before 2020.
While others are still considering the concepts of 5G, Qatar's Ooredoo has already started commercial service. China is also on the race to launch its own services in 2019, while South Korea aims to launch network in 2020, amid its three giant network operators deciding to start at the same time.
Meanwhile, regulators have been auctioning off spectrum to telecommunications firm that has been experimenting with smartphone makers on new services.
Do I need a new phone for 5G?
It is not certain if you will need a new smartphone. But there were already compatible smartphones available, even before the full rollout of 4G mobile network in 2009/10.
And this time, smartphone makers won't make the mistake of launching 5G compatible smartphones only when the network is fully ready. The new generation phones today should be able to seamlessly switch between 4G and 5G networks for a better use case.
Will the 5G network end fixed line services?
Well No. Telecommunications companies seem to have invested so much in copper wire and fiber-optic fixed-line broadband, to give it up so soon.
For a very long time, the office and domestic broadband services will be in a fixed line, although this fixed wireless access will be available in tandem. No matter how functional the wireless connectivity will be, a lot of people prefer the certainty and stability of physical wires.
But, think of a 5G network as a complementary service when you are out and wants to interact with the world around you.
Will 5G work in rural areas?
Unfortunately, the 5G network is primarily an urban service for densely populated areas.
It may not address the issue of low data speed and signal notice in rural areas, as 5G operates on high-frequency bands. So, it has higher capacity but cannot cover long distances.
Thus, network operators are primarily working on the improvement of their 4G LTE coverage in line with the launch of 5G.
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