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Writer's pictureAvni Bansal

The future of 5G

Updated: Jan 21, 2021

5G is the 5th generation mobile network. By enabling a new kind of network that is designed to connect virtually everyone and everything together, 5G’s arrival will not only transform tech but also provide an entirely new mobile experience. With its potential to bring about the fourth industrial revolution, it is a big deal. But how exactly does it work and what are its applications?


Essentially 5G is the next wave of cellular technology after 4G. While 4G uses 850-2100 MHz frequencies, 5G will use upto 2.5 GHz. Using higher frequency wavelengths means that data can be sent in in smaller packets and more data packets can be sent per second than 4G allows. Furthermore, 5G makes more efficient use of open data transmission channels through something called an LTE SPS feature. This enables any device to utilize data channels as soon as they have data to transmit instead of having to wait for permission from a central data transmission hub, increasing speed and efficiency of transmission.


5G has a myriad of applications. Since 5G allows high-speed data transfer, it will play a big role in enabling autonomous vehicles like self-driving cars. Vehicles will be able to respond to stimuli 10-100 times faster than is currently possible. This will make this technology more reliable and scalable. Secondly, IoT 5G enabled sensors on vehicles can communicate with satellites and traffic light sensors to discern areas of high traffic, and reroute accordingly, making traffic jams a thing of the past. Thirdly, high capacity factories and industrial construction hubs need to use heavy bundles of cables to keep all their equipment running, but 5G will allow these factories to go wireless. Instead of bulky and expensive cables all factory devices will communicate through Bluetooth. Lastly technologies such as chatbots, drones, photo editing software and virtual and augmented reality devices that need to process large amounts of data will become far cheaper and more commonplace with 5G.


The potential of 5G is unparalleled. A landmark 5G Economy study found that 5G is expected to support a wide range of industries and potentially enable up to $13.2 trillion worth of goods and services. Furthermore, the higher network speeds will enhance the efficiency of businesses around the world. Smart factories could utilise an industrial ethernet to increase productivity. Not only can 5G support millions of devices at ultrafast speeds, but it can also increase accessibility. For example, connected devices can automate household tasks, be used in remote surgery, and integrated burglar alarm systems.


Several companies like Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and China Mobile are planning to roll out 5G networks in the 2020s. AT&T has already brought an early version of 5G to 10 big cities in the United States and plans to bring 5G to all of the US by 2025. Furthermore, companies including Samsung and Nokia are working on 5G enabled devices to complement the 5G revolution. We should expect to see worldwide 5G coverage by 2030.


Some people underestimate 5G, thinking it will just make connections faster, but 5G has potential for so much more. From improving healthcare to Autonomous Vehicles, connecting everything allows for endless possibilities. While only time will tell what the full extent of 5G’s influence will be, it is certain 5G will transform the future.


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2 Comments


sidharthjain10
Oct 30, 2020

Very well written, extremely informative, nicely touched upon the key aspects of 5G. You have rightly pointed the top use cases like autonomous vehicles, IOT, industrial automation, etc. Rightly said, 5G is going to transform almost everything around us. Great blog, keep it up :)

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namitaditi
Oct 12, 2020

Very informative and very well written article..Way to go!!!

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