Timothy Egger
The fifth generation of mobile networking, or 5G, came after 4G. As more and more gadgets go online, 5G, like every generation before it, aims to make mobile communication quicker and more dependable.
We now have a variety of bandwidth-demanding devices, such as our HD-streaming smartphones, smartwatches with data plans, always-on security cameras, self-driving and internet-connected cars, and other promising devices like health sensors and untethered AR and VR hardware, which contrasts with the past when mobile networks only needed to support cell phones that were just for browsing the web and text messaging.
As billions more devices join the web, the entire infrastructure must expand to handle the traffic in order to offer quicker connections, better handle multiple ones at once, and provide these devices wider coverage. This is the main goal of 5G.
How 5G Can Help You
The advantages of 5G are plentiful. According to Groopview’s founder and CEO, Delmond Newton, the main advantages of 5G revolve around reduced latency, improved bandwidth, and expanded capacity.
“When you look beyond the obvious; the most beneficial impact of 5G comes down to connectivity,” he says. “With stronger and more reliable network connectivity, people have the ability to simultaneously experience digital content and communicate without the disruptions experienced with 4G, such as lagging, buffering, etc. This new era of network connectivity is creating an untapped market for technological advances to connect and communicate, benefitting both users and enterprises.”
At a glance, key benefits include:
- Minimal lag when streaming videos and playing games
- Safer cities with smart, interconnected vehicles
- Near-instant access to most files online
- Smaller devices that offload hardware requirements to remote servers
- New products and applications that require ultrafast speeds
- Reliable internet in remote areas
How Is 5G Different From the Other “Gs”?
Simply put, 5G is the generation after 4G, which took over for all preceding ones.
- 1G introduced analog voice
- 2G introduced digital voice
- 3G ushered in mobile data
- 4G paved the way for widespread mobile internet usage
Where Can I Get 5G?
The number of service providers in your area will determine when 5G services will be accessible.
Since 5G is now only accessible in a limited number of places, not just anyone can use those networks. Customers may already use it nationwide through Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and some other smaller businesses, but the ultra-high-speed variety is largely aimed at densely populated areas. Other carriers have operational 5G networks in other parts of the world.
This new fifth-generation cellular network requires a compatible phone in order to function, as any phone won’t be able to access the network. Currently, quite a few 5G-capable gadgets are available on the market, and nearly all upcoming smartphones do too.
See Where Can I Get 5G in the US? if you’re not in the US, visit 5G Availability Around the World for more information.
