Fifth-generation (5G) wireless technology is the newest iteration in cellular technology. The 5G standard was designed to increase the speed, bandwidth and latency of wireless network.
The 5G network is perfect for the internet of things, telecommunications (IoT), and private networks that use private 4G. In 2019, cellular companies started deploying 5G as the successor of fourth-generation wireless technology ( 4G).
Data transmitted over wireless internet can reach multigigabit speeds. The ideal peak download speed could be as high as 20 gigabits/second (Gbps). These speeds are faster than wireline networks and offer latencies as low as 5 milliseconds. This is ideal for applications that need real-time feedback. The 5G standard allows for a significant increase in data transmission over wireless systems, thanks to bandwidth.
As 5G technology is deployed, it is expected that it will create a wide range of new applications and uses.
5G is enabled through a 5G New Radio air interface (5GNR), which serves as a specification of 5G networks. It describes how 5G products send data to 5G NR infrastructure. 5G relies on the same radio technology used by 4G LTE, orthogonal-frequency-division multi access. The 4G LTE wireless standard is the basis for 5G. 5G uses newer technologies such as quadrature-amplitude modulation (QAM ) and beamforming. These features increase network efficiency and reduce latency.
5G wireless networks are made up of cell sites that are divided into radiowave sectors. The 5G wireless signal is transmitted by a large number of small cells located on light poles and building roofs. This is unlike 4G which relies on large cell towers with high power to transmit signals over long distances. Multiple small cells are needed because the millimeter-wave ( or mmWave spectrum — which 5G uses to achieve high speeds — is only able to travel short distances, and can be affected by weather and physical obstructions.
MmWave frequency can be blocked easily by objects like trees, walls, and buildings. This means that, most of the time, mmWave is only able to cover a city block in direct line-of-sight of a node or cell site. To overcome this problem, different approaches have been developed. The brute force approach uses multiple nodes in each block to allow a device that is 5G enabled to use an air interface, switching from node-to-node at MM wave speed.
A more practical way to overcome the issues relating distance, and interference with mmWave, is by using it with a lower-frequency wireless spectrum called Sub-6 5G.
Sub-6 5G is the low-band and middle-band of 5G spectrum. Sub-6 5G, while not as fast at mmWaves is typically faster than the average 4G speeds. Low-band speeds are the slowest 5G speeds but still faster than 4G LTE speeds. Mid-band is faster than low band, but still beaten by mmWave.
Sub-6 5G is able to reach greater distances than the mmWaves but with a lower speed and capacity.
MmWave can still be used to cover densely populated areas. Sub-6 frequencies, however, are more suitable for less densely populated regions. Lower-end frequencies are capable of covering hundreds of square miles. The implementation of 5G frequencies will provide blanket coverage and the fastest speeds for the most heavily trafficked areas.
How fast can 5G be?
Each 5G band operates at different speeds.
Low band provides speeds below 1 gigahertz. However, some 4G LTE speeds can be faster.
Mid-band speeds range from 3.4GHz up to 6GHz.
Comparatively, the mmWave range is from 30 GHz up to 300 GHz.
The speed of each band depends on factors like the carrier, distance and amount of traffic in the network (in the case mmWaves).
While 5G is widely available today, it does not replace 4G as many people thought. Although there are some areas with multi-gigabit speeds today, users are more likely to encounter low- or mid-band 5G speeds. If the signal must travel through a wall, even in an area that offers mmWave 5, its speed will be reduced. Many users may only notice a small speed increase compared to 4G.
In most cases, 5G speeds still are considered fast. This makes consumer uses like wirelessly streaming video in 4K resolutions more feasible.
What are the benefits to 5G?
The benefits of 5G include the following, even though its downsides are obvious when you consider how easily mmWave is blocked.
Use of higher frequency.
High bandwidth
Mobile broadband is now available with enhanced speeds.
The latency is reduced to 5 ms.
The 5G network will be able to support new technologies, including 4K streaming and virtual reality streaming in near real-time.
Flexible coverage with a mobile network that consists of low-bands, mid-bands and mmWave frequency.
5Gs launch
The first 5G smartphones and related devices will be available in the market around the time of the launch of 5G.
Initially, 5G carrier deployments were disappointing, because some companies decided to first build their low-band network infrastructure. It was still 5G but it did not provide the speed that many carriers had advertised. That would be provided by mmWaves. Verizon was an early adapter of their 5G architecture based on mmWave. However, the process was expensive and initially only available in certain city areas.
Many 5G carriers are now able to deploy 5G sub-6 or mmWave. On their websites, companies such as Verizon and AT&T provide coverage maps that show where they offer 5G mmWave coverage, Sub-6 coverage, or 4G coverage. Each company uses a different term for the bands they offer. Verizon’s 5G mmWave is called “5G ultra wideband” while AT&T refers to it as “5G+”, and T-Mobile refers to it as “5G ultra capacity.”
What type of 5G wireless service will be available?
Two types of 5G services are being developed by network operators:
5G mobile services give users access to 5G cellular network operators. The first commercially-available 5G devices (or 5G compliant devices) enabled the rollout of these services in 2019. The delivery of cellular services is also dependant on the completion by 3GPP of the mobile core standards.
Private Network 5Gdelivers cellular 5G connectivity for private network usage cases. To implement a private network, an organization must either own or rent the 5G spectrum and infrastructure. Private 5G operates in the same manner as a 5G public network, except that the network owners can restrict access. Private 5G networks can be deployed as a service or wholly-owned, hybrid, or sliced networks.
Fixed wireless broadband servicesdeliver Internet access to homes and business without a wired connections to the premises. In order to achieve this, network operators place NRs near buildings in order to send a signal from a small cell site to a receiver located on the roof or windowsill of a building. The signal is then amplified inside the premises. Fixed broadband services will make it cheaper for operators to provide broadband services to businesses and homes because they won’t need to install fiber optic cables in every home. Operators only need to install fibre optics at cell sites. Customers receive broadband service through wireless modems in their homes or businesses.
Differences between 5G and 4G
The data transmission speeds and encoding techniques of each generation of cellular technologies are different, requiring end users to upgrade hardware. The speed of 4G is steadily increasing. It can support speeds up to 2 Gbps. 4G was 500 times faster than the 3G standard. 5G is up to 100 times faster.
The level of latency is one of the biggest differences between 4G & 5G. 5G has a much lower level. 5G encodes using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing ( ORDM), similar to that of 4G LTE. However, 4G uses 20 MHz channels that are bonded at 160 MHz. 5G uses between 100 and 800-MHz channels. This means that it requires more airwaves.
Samsung is researching 6G. Currently, we don’t know much about 6G and its speed. The 6G network will likely operate with similar differences in magnitude to 4G and 5G. Some believe 6G will use the mmWave radio spectrum, and could be 10 years away.
Use cases for 5G
Use cases for 5G can be varied, from enterprise and business use to casual consumer use. Here are some examples of 5G use cases:
Streaming video of high quality.
Communication between devices in an IoT environment.
Location tracking that is more accurate
Fixed wireless services.
Low-latency communication.
Real-time analytics made easier.
Network Slicing is one of the features that 5G has to offer. It allows mobile operators to create virtual networks inside a 5G physical network. This will allow wireless network connections that support specific business cases or uses. It could also be sold as a service. For example, a self driving car could need a network that provides extremely fast and low latency connections to allow the vehicle to navigate in real-time. However, a home appliance could be connected using a slower, lower-power connection, as high performance isn’t necessary. IoT can use data-only, secure connections.
Business Benefits of Impact of 5G on the Economy
The value chain of 5G and its support for a wide range of industries has had a significant impact on economies. PwC’s study predicted that the impact of 5G on the US economy will reach $1.3 trillion by 2030. In 2019, 5G affected the following industries: healthcare, $330 billion; smart utilities, $530 billion; consumer and media applications, $254 billion; industrial manufacturing, $134 billion; and financial services, $85 billion.
CTIA published another study that stated in 2020 the wireless industry will generate over $1.3 trillion dollars and add almost 4.5 millions jobs to the American economy.
Who is involved in 5G?
Many big carriers are working to build and expand their 5G network. Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile are all part of this. Each of the carriers mentioned has, for instance, embraced the concept of a multi-tiered 5G strategy that includes the use low-band, middle-band and millimeter-wave frequencies.
3GPP also works on updates and improvements for their 5G specification.
Why 5G is not 5G?
AT&T launched a 5GE network early in the development of 5G. Users of 4G LTE received an upgrade that “upgraded them” to 5GE. 5GE is a rebranded version of AT&T’s Gb4G LTE network.
AT&T claimed that although the speeds offered were similar to 5G, it was still not 5G. G is a generation code, which indicates a break in compatibility with previous hardware. Users would not have been able update their phone to support 5G. Instead, they would need to buy a brand new phone that supports the technology. This was a misleading marketing strategy for people who didn’t know about the technology.
What 5G smartphones are available?
It’s not possible to update a phone or other piece of hardware from 4G to 5G with a simple software update. 5G requires specific equipment.
A user can only use 5G if they have a device capable of supporting 5G. They also need to be in an area where there are 5G nodes.
The majority of new phones are designed to support 5G. The iPhone 12 and newer support 5G as an example. The Google Pixel 5 and newer also support 5G.
History of wireless technology
Nippon Telegraph and Telephone launched 1G in 1979. Japan was the first nation to implement a nationwide generational network in 1984. Motorola launched the DynaTAC, the first commercially-available cellphone in 1983.
In 1991, the second generation network (2G), was first released in Finland. 2G brought significant improvements to mobile talking, including improved sound quality, reduced static and encrypted calls. A major 2G addition was the ability to use media on mobile phones through the data bit transfer.
In 2001, the third-generation wireless technology ( 3G ) was introduced. 3G was primarily focused on standardizing the network protocols of different vendors. 3G’s increased speed enabled users to surf the web on their mobile devices. 3G has four times more data transfer capability. Also, international roaming services have been introduced.
In 2009, the fourth-generation wireless technology was launched. Users can now stream video in high quality and access the mobile web faster with 4G. In 2011, LTE networks began launching in Canada. In areas without 5G, 4G LTE is still common.
The 3GPP, a group of telecom associations that works together to develop 5G technology, began developing it in 2015. 3GPP initially aimed to create global specifications for 3G systems. The 3GPP gathers four times per year to develop and plan new releases. Each new release is an improvement on the previous one, while adding new standard functionalities.
In 2017, the 5G and 5G-NR fifth specifications were released. In 2018, 3GPP released release 16 which included several specifications including network slicing.
5G was released to the public in 2019. Verizon was one of the first carriers in Chicago and Minneapolis to build a 5G network. Around the same time, Sprint, AT&T, and T-Mobile launched their 5G infrastructures and services. Some companies focused on mmWave infrastructure for higher speeds, while others invested in lower band frequencies.
Release 16 of 3GPP was released in 2020. It focused on 5G applications, including automotive and industrial IoT. Release 18 will be launched in 2022. It covers system architecture, services, security, multi-media codecs as well as management and charging features.
Wireless networks have undergone many iterations in the past, and we’ll continue to see them as 5G is adopted. We will also see updates, improvements and new iterations. This article will tell you more about 5G adoption, and how it will affect differ.
