Preparation is ongoing with most leading players of the technology testing their systems towards the upcoming roll-out.
Players such as Huawei, Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson, Fujitsu, Mitsubishi Electric, NEC, Nokia and Samsung are busy leading the change to 5G, to pave way for a network that automate everything.
The next generation network to take over from Long Term Evolution (LTE) 4G, is touted for its promising framework supports to drive technologies like:
- Quantum computing
- Internet of Things (IoT) with its numerous derivatives: IIoT, IoE
- Real-time communication
- Self driving cars
- Terrestrial broadcast
- Virtual gaming
- Voice assistants
- Telemedicine
- Video streaming and conferencing
Modem for the fifth generation network has been released back in 2018 with high commercialization expected to commence this year. In fact there was a 5G enabled device streaming 4K video at Snapdragon Tech Summit 2018 and a prototype at Samsung SDC 2018. A 5G network was launch way back in 2017 by Huawei with Deutsche-Telekom in Germany.
The devices
Manufactures like Samsung, Motorola, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Oppo, ZTE, Vivi and Huawei have promised to release 5G enabled devices this year. Unless Apple change their mind with Intel or Intel completes their 5G modem (Intel’s XMM 8160 5G modem) earlier enough for Apple this year, iPhone lovers just might not enjoy a 5G device this year.
5G will be faster than current home broadband connections and whiles it might be a couple of years before it becomes a worthwhile option (based on how quick it becomes available on release), it’s highly possible you’ll be able to use a 5G router at home as well; this time without a need for a fixed telephone line.
On the ear of Spectrum.
5G will run on a new “high-spectrum band” which uses higher frequency signals than 4G. The band is expected to be much less congested than at present. However, signals won’t be able to travel as far, so there may be a need for more access points positioned closer together.
Most countries have postponed auction of the frequency range for the fifth generation communications technology till 2020. A step thoughtfully logical; better to know what it is about very well before auction, than to take chances.
Remember, every industry will be affected by 5G, with network speeds as high as 10Gbps with extremely low latency would be the driving force for new applications that use massive broadband capabilities. 5G will be the platform enabling growth in many industries, ranging from the IT industry to Automobile, Entertainment, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Media, Security, Logistics industries and many many more.