5G: The Next Wireless Standard

Why the world is excited for the arrival of 5G.

16:36 05 February 2018

5G is the next wireless standard, following 4G and LTE. Poised to be deployed starting 2020, it isexpected to deliver ultra fast downloading and uploading time, allowing for faster transfer of data and easy connection of billions of IoT devices. The proposed standard for the technology would theoretically be 10 times faster than 4G. This can make downloading a full HD movie in just a couple of minutes possible. 

 

Gartner principal research analyst Bill Menezes, said: "It's not really made so your videos are going to stream better on Facebook. But to be able to stream television in addition to internet access, in that respect you'll need 5G — especially to stream 4K ultra-high-definition television."

 

Gartner research vice president Mark Hung added: "It could enable the 'tactile internet,' where the latency is so short when you are doing something you are filling the other end because the feedback is so quick,"

 

However, it is important to note that until 5G is deployed, we can’t be sure if it will live up to our expectations.

 

Case in point: The 4G network promised to offer 300 megabit per second, which is only possible if you are right next to a cell tower. Current average speeds in the US are only around 50 megabits per second.