In this ‘5G Explained’ article, we’ll be looking into the latest cellular technology. You’ll find out the benefits, what 5G is being used for, when it arrived in the U.K. and how it’s transforming the way we access the internet.
- What is 5G?
- The benefits of 5G
- 5G and self-driving cars
- When does 5G Arrive in the UK and what do you need to use it?
- Is 5G safe?
In 2018, the bidding war between Three, O2 & EE ended with over 1.3 billion pounds having been spent. To get a piece of this future market that’s going to revolutionise the internet.
At the time this huge amount of money was spent, not a single tablet or smartphone even had the capabilities of receiving a 5G signal.
What is 5G?
We’ve been waiting for a long time to get our hands on the revolutionary 5G network. With it, you’ll be able to replace your WiFi and fixed broadband internet connections at home with wireless high-speed access that can provide fast download speeds of over 2 Gbps!
The 5G network is an upgrade to the current LTE or fourth-generation mobile networks. It removes the limitations of 4G max speeds and promises up to 10Gbps speeds in the future.
It isn’t designed to replace 4G, more to work alongside it by providing super-fast, ultra-low latency when you need it. If you’re just browsing the internet, the 4G network is more than capable, but say you want to stream a AAA game on your smartphone on the way to work, this is perfect for 5G as it’ll dramatically reduce input lag.
The Benefits of 5G
It’s built from the ground up to be more resistant against interference, so it can work even when other devices around it interfere with its signal. If you’ve lived in an apartment building, then you’ll know how your neighbour’s router can degrade your WiFi connection!
With data speeds of 100 times faster than those provided by today’s standards – like downloading a movie trailer in just seconds instead of minutes- this is something that will revolutionize digital connectivity all over again.
Ultra-low latency is also a key factor for 5G. Latency refers to the time between when data is sent and the response, so with 5Gs ultra-low latency, you’ll be able to interact with your devices and get feedback or results instantly. No more buffering!
Almost as soon as the MRI machine is in place, 5G will be able to transmit data on your scan immediately. This means that you’ll no longer have to spend long periods waiting for results and can head home or back to work after a short wait instead!
5G networks will allow us to transmit information faster than ever before and make our rides more efficient. For example, traffic data from ride-hailing services like Uber & Lyft could be sent in real-time directly to drivers on the road which would lead to less congestion!
5G & The Smart Cities of the Future
Cities are using 5G to provide high-speed broadband, public safety and smart city applications.
A 5G network could also offer real-time data that would allow cities to conserve resources like power grids or water supplies by monitoring consumption patterns in specific areas.
This will not only reduce the cost of maintaining these things but it can be used for more efficient use as well!
It will also make it possible for autonomous vehicles to safely, and more importantly, communicate instantly with one another on the road – think about how much time and money 5G could save by preventing collisions.
How 5G will help rural areas access faster internet
Another benefit of 5G is to rural areas that traditionally have had poor internet speeds. 5G signals are able to travel much further distances than previous generations of cellular signals, meaning that even areas with poor internet infrastructure will be able to access 5G connectivity.
So if you’ve been left out of the broadband revolution and are still watching Netflix in standard definition, 5G could be your best chance of finally putting that 4K TV to good use.
The Negatives of 5G
There are many benefits for 5G, but there are also drawbacks as well. With the increase in speed comes an increased level of radiation emissions. The higher frequency waves used with 5G have greater power than that of 4G. You can visit the WHO 5G health guidelines for more information on 5G Safety.
Other negatives include the higher cost of equipment, you can bet your 5G iPhone is going to be more expensive.
Another downside to these new waves is that they don’t travel through building well and can be weakened considerably by the rain. The reason 5G doesn’t work well in rain is due to the bandwidth of the 5G waves being more easily absorbed by water.
5G will be used to power self-driving cars
Which is good news for self-driving cars which rely on a constant stream of data for GPS and other navigational information. 5G will be necessary to power the sensors that are used in self-driving vehicles due to increased bandwidth.
Tesla is currently experimenting with 5G in their cars. They are using a 5G antenna to replace the GPS antenna for navigation. Other car manufacturers using 5G are Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagon.
When does 5G Arrive in the UK and what do you need to use it?
It’s already here in the U.K., but you’ll need a 5G enabled smartphone or device to use it. The cell networks EE, Three, Vodaphone and O² have 5G networks plans available now. Currently, the U.K. has coverage in over 112 towns as they upgraded the existing 4G infrastructure to support 5G.
5G Summing Up
The next generation of mobile technology is just around the corner and it promises to be much faster than what we’re currently using. 5G will offer up a host of benefits for both consumers and enterprises alike, from greater productivity at work or school with smoother streaming on personal devices, to more accessible fast internet as well as better quality video calls across geographical boundaries.
It will also enable self-driving cars with speeds up to 10x that of current 4G networks while making them safer by providing a constant connection between vehicles which can help avoid crashes.
What are your thoughts on 5G? Comment below.
Check out our list of Budget Phones in the U.K that support 5G.
5G Explained: Superfast Speeds, Smart Cities & Self Driving Cars
What do you think of 5G? Let us know in the comments below!
5G Explained: Superfast Speeds, Smart Cities & Self Driving Cars
What do you think of 5G? Let us know in the comments below!