5G Mobile Networking Revolution

What is 5G?

“5G is a new digital system for transforming bytes – data units – over the air. It uses a 5G New Radio interface, along with other new technologies, that utilizes much higher radio frequencies (28 GHz compared to 700 MHz – 2500 MHz for 4G) to transfer exponentially more data over the air for faster speeds, reduced congestion and lower latency, which is the delay before a transfer of data begins following an instruction,” according to raconteur.net.

History

The first generation of mobile networks came out in around 1982 using an analog system and was referred to as 1G. The system was completely analog until the second generation of mobile networks 2G was launched and in 1991 it became digital. 2G also added mobile data in the form of GPRS and EDGE technologies. Almost 10 years later, the 3G network was launched, giving users more speed than the second generation. Almost 10 years later, current LTE networks, also called 4G, were launched. Historically, almost every 10 years a new generation of network technology is applied.

4G vs 5G

Simply said, 5G is widely believed to be smarter, faster and more efficient than 4G.

With the rise of 4G, compared to third-generation mobile networking, quality video streaming and calling became very popular among users, i.e., they now watch live TV on a routine basis, every day, leading to busy lines which in turn, increased congestion in the network. More video streaming, more congestion in the network!

The problem with high congestion, which is the amount of data to be quickly transferred across blocks of spectrum, is a major factor that differentiates between 4G and 5G networks. In 5G this congestion will be eliminated!

However, Internet of Things (IoT) is referred to as 5G’s biggest differentiator to 4G. 5G will be as a gateway for the Internet of Things, which as discussed in previous articles in CIKD, is an interconnected system of computer equipment, mechanical and digital machines, things, animals, or people who are identified by unique identifiers (UIDs) and capable of transmitting data over a network without the need for human-to-human or human-computer interactions.

5G is a new digital system for transforming bytes over the air and uses New Radio interface, which uses a millimeter-wave spectrum, with higher radio frequencies (28 GHz compared to 700 MHz – 2500 MHz for 4G). This key feature of 5G has enhanced the number of devices to be supported within the same geographic area (1 million devices per square km compared to 4000 devices for 4G), with no interruptions. These factors indicate several benefits 5G has over 4G: higher speeds, less latency, capacity for a larger number of connected devices, less interference and better efficiency.

Benefits of 5G

4K-8K live streaming of VR video

Today, given the speed of 4G network, even 4G streaming of video is limited by users. With the advent and development of 5G, we will see tremendous advancement in the field of 8K streaming of video for users and activists of the technology world, which will certainly not have the current delays due to speed limitation.

Maximum real-world download speed

With the advent and expansion of 5G, as the quality of streaming increases, data will be downloaded at much higher speeds well beyond 4G.

Mobile online gaming with high quality

Online games with data internet are not a rational activity today. Not only speed but also delay creates significant challenges for online gaming. Delay is the time required by the network to respond to users’ requests. By definition, the delay would disrupt the quality of the online gaming experience. With the expansion of the 5G network and the increase in speed, this challenge will certainly be removed.

Hologram phone calls

Volumetric display – also known as 3D-holographs – is another benefit of 5G mobile network over previous versions, due to high speed and low enough latency.

Video calls already have a lot of users and fans. With the current speed of 4G connections, high-quality calls can also be experienced. The next generation of calls in this field will be in the form of holographic calls that companies like Vodafone have already tested successfully.

Progress in augmented reality

We’ve seen a variety of augmented reality technologies and achievements over the years, but we’re still in the initial stages of such a great technology. Maybe 5G can improve the development of this technology as well. The high speed and low latency provided by 5G will provide augmented reality in far more areas than 4G.

Increase of self-driving cars

5G can serve as a vital element in the public use of self-driving cars. Such vehicles must be capable of sending and receiving data with other vehicles, smart roads and other elements for optimum use.

Smarter homes and cities

One of the areas that will definitely benefit from 5G is Internet of Things. Although we now see prototypes of this technology such as smart home thermostats, smart lights, and the like in our daily lives, many of its capabilities are still unknown. 5G can connect all users of the future smart world to revolutionary technologies by providing extensive facilities to homes and cities.