When people talk about the connected society, the thousands of possibilities offered by new technologies and our future lives in smart cities, a constellation of ultrafast devices springs to mind. A supporting infrastructure is required for all this to happen, which is where 5G comes in.
5G! Welcome to the era of hyper-connectivity!
What is 5G?
5G is the fifth generation of technologies and standards for wireless communication; i.e. the network used by mobile devices to connect to the Internet anywhere. It is an evolution of 4G that will revolutionise telecommunications and take us into a new world – hyperconnectivity. The millisecond latencies — the time it takes to transfer a data packet over the network — provided by 5G are essential to this.
Various 5G networks:
5G networks come in three different types, which tie to the range each type has and the speeds it can deliver to your phone. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Low-band 5G
Low-band 5G operates on some of the same frequencies as 4G, delivering slightly faster speeds—think 50–60 Mbps—over long distances. It will work best in rural areas where people are more spread out and you can provide service with a handful of cellular towers.
Mid-band 5G
Mid-band 5G incorporates higher-frequency radio bands than 4G. Mid-band 5G has a shorter range, with transmitters able to reach phones within several miles. But it can deliver significantly faster speeds than 4G. Much of T-Mobile’s 5G network consists of mid-band 5G.
C-band 5G
The radio spectrum known as C-band (3.7–4.2 GHz) has been touted as the sweet spot that allows cellular companies to give their 5G networks a wide range while supporting robust speeds.
Millimetre-wave 5G
This is the most advanced version of 5G. It uses what are called “millimetre-wave” radio bands, so named because they’re tiny and operate at an extremely high frequency (25–39 GHz).
What will be 5G used for in future ?
- Data – Storage in Mega Clouds
- RadioFusion – Replacement for Radio and TV frequencies
- New Technologies – Virtual and Augmented Reality
- Streaming – 4K/8K Video broadcasting
- Games – Online Video Games
- Health – Health tracking devices
- Transport – Autonomous Vehicles
- Smart Cities – Traffic Light and Public Transport
5G vs 4G :What is the Real Difference?
Compared to third generation mobile networking, 4G enabled previously impossible quality video streaming and calling on the go, meaning live TV is now routinely watched on the daily commute. More video streaming, however, has increased congestion in the network.
But arguably, 5G’s biggest differentiator to 4G will be a gateway for the IoT – connected World at scale.Later iterations of 5G networking are expected to be revolutionary for data-driven industries, smart cities and infrastructure management because it will be possible to have many more devices working, reliably, securely and uninterrupted in the same area.
Overall, due to the new technologies, spectrum and frequencies it uses, 5G has several benefits over 4G; higher speeds, less latency, capacity for a larger number of connected devices, less interference and better efficiency.
How fast is 5G compared to 4G?
5G promises device speeds around 10 times faster than 4G, meaning high-quality, ultra-high resolution 4K video calls – the standard used for commercial digital cinema – downloads will be delivered even quicker to smartphones and tablets. Data transfer of less than 20 milliseconds will be standard.
What is the difference between Mobile Hotspots and Tethering?
Tethering and mobile hotspots in 4G and 5G phones are interrelated as hotspots are a type of tethering. A mobile hotspot uses a WiFi connection to tether to the devices that need the internet, e.g. a laptop. Tethering is not limited to WiFi and can also be achieved through USB cables and Bluetooth.
Impact of 5G over 4G Modems and Hotspots
The impact of 5G on 4G modems and hotspots will depend on several factors like:
- The Geographical availability of 5G networks
- Cost Effectiveness of 5G devices and services
- Adoption Rate of 5G by customers and businesses
The best mobile hotspots for 4G and 5G allow you to connect your devices to fast and secure internet almost anywhere in the world. Not only does this make it easy to hop on the internet and check your emails quickly.
Let’s Keep in Mind……
So fast, a good 5G mobile hotspot could even replace your broadband connection. 5G is the latest mobile internet generation, offering speeds far quicker than 4G data connections.
It’s likely that 4G modems and hotspots will continue to be used for the foreseeable future, especially in areas where 5G networks are not yet widely available. However, as 5G networks become more widespread, the demand for 4G modems and hotspots may decline, and eventually become obsolete. If you rely on a mobile data connection to work out and about, upgrading to 5G and getting one of the best 5G mobile hotspots could improve your productivity in future
Overall, 5G has the potential to bring about significant advancements in various industries, including healthcare, education, and entertainment.5G technology is here to stay and is poised to shape the future of mobile connectivity.