Fifth-generation wireless or 5G is the latest iteration of cellular technology, engineered to greatly increase the speed and responsiveness of wireless networks. With 5G, data transmitted over wireless broadband connections would travel at rates as high as 20 Gbps. This is bound to exceed wireline network speeds offering latency of 1 ms or lower for uses that require real-time feedback. 5G would also enable a quick increase in the amount of data transmitted over wireless systems due to more available bandwidth and advanced antenna technology. By 2022, it is forecasted to have around 400 million connections worldwide.

Impact of 5G Technology

5G technology operating on hand held phone will have a contribution of power and features more than by at least 1,000 astronomical modules. In addition to improvements in speed, capacity and latency, the technology would offer unique network management features such as network slicing which allows mobile operators to create multiple virtual networks within a single physical 5G network. This capability will equip wireless network connections to support specific uses or business cases and could be sold on an as-a-service basis.

Working of 5G Technology

Wireless networks are composed of cell sites divided into sectors that send data through radio waves. Fourth-generation (4G) Long-Term Evolution (LTE) wireless technology provides the foundation for 5G. Unlike 4G, which requires big, high-power cell towers to radiate signals over large distances, 5G wireless signals will be transmitted via large numbers of small cell stations located in places like light poles or building roofs.

Why is 5G Technology Important for the future?

Autonomous cars : 5G is absolutely critical to the future of autonomous cars. These vehicles will need to detect obstacles, interact with smart signs, follow precise maps and communicate with each other, even with cars made by other Automotive OEM’s.

: 5G is absolutely critical to the future of autonomous cars. These vehicles will need to detect obstacles, interact with smart signs, follow precise maps and communicate with each other, even with cars made by other Automotive OEM’s. Huge amount of data will need to be transmitted and processed in real time in order to ensure passenger safety. To this end, only 5G is capable of providing the capacity, speed, low latency and security needed to bring millions of autonomous cars to the roads.

Smart Cities : Smart cities of the coming future will rely heavily on inter-connected devices, many of which will need to interact with autonomous cars. New modes of public transport will emerge, such as on-demand smart buses and flying drone taxis which will also rely on next-generation network connectivity. Smart buildings will enable businesses to work more efficiently by regulating energy consumption while devices such as smart billboards will enable companies to target consumers more directly. The 5G-based infrastructure that smart cities will be built on, is set to offer a wide range of opportunities for forward-thinking businesses

: Smart cities of the coming future will rely heavily on inter-connected devices, many of which will need to interact with autonomous cars. New modes of public transport will emerge, such as on-demand smart buses and flying drone taxis which will also rely on next-generation network connectivity. Smart buildings will enable businesses to work more efficiently by regulating energy consumption while devices such as smart billboards will enable companies to target consumers more directly. The 5G-based infrastructure that smart cities will be built on, is set to offer a wide range of opportunities for forward-thinking businesses IoT technology : The Internet of Things (IoT) is already gaining pace but the introduction of 5G will provide the infrastructure to connect billions of more devices to the internet. The increasing number of IoT devices in the home provides a big opportunity for hardware manufacturers but the real potential lies in industrial IoT.

: The Internet of Things (IoT) is already gaining pace but the introduction of 5G will provide the infrastructure to connect billions of more devices to the internet. The increasing number of IoT devices in the home provides a big opportunity for hardware manufacturers but the real potential lies in industrial IoT. Immersive entertainment : 5G networks will be essential for supporting the growing demand for mobile video. But 5G’s unparalleled data capacity, speed and low latency will also help to enable a new range of immersive entertainment, especially in the cases of VR and AR.

: 5G networks will be essential for supporting the growing demand for mobile video. But 5G’s unparalleled data capacity, speed and low latency will also help to enable a new range of immersive entertainment, especially in the cases of VR and AR. Communication and collaboration : While 5G will provide infrastructure for all types of new business models, its core function is to work as a mobile network. Apart from helping to streamline communication, 5G will help organizations greatly benefit from big data by improving data transfer speeds.

: While 5G will provide infrastructure for all types of new business models, its core function is to work as a mobile network. Apart from helping to streamline communication, 5G will help organizations greatly benefit from big data by improving data transfer speeds. Along with the business insights gained through data analytics, 5G will help to support remote working environment and also help colleagues to work on cloud-based collaborative documents and platforms in real time situations.

Status of Deployment in Countries

Wireless network operators in four major countries- the United States (USA), Japan, South Korea and China are largely driving forward the first 5G network buildouts. Network operators are expected to spend billions of money on 5G capital expenses by2030.

In accordance with that, standards bodies are working on universal 5G equipment standards. The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) approved 5G New Radio (NR) standards in December 2017.

Conclusion

While 5G Technology is dubbed to be the future of internet networking, speed & connectivity with its usage, especially vital for autonomous cars, IOT, Smart Cities & Healthcare, the wireless network operators are still in the process of fully integrating and deploying this technology and is expected not to be fully launched before 2020. There are infinite advantages and leading countries & operators want to be the first in line for this cutting-edge technology and undoubtedly 5G Networks would play a very important role in the future of the Information & Communication industry.