All tier 1 carriers are betting for 5G. But, what is exactly 5G? Is it the next generation of wireless communication? Is it the need of more speed? Companies are starting to promise the impossible for the communication for the next few years. There is not an official and clear definition of 5G yet but the telecom companies are establishing themselves as 5G leaders, spending billions of dollars in capex and Opex to provide the service. The previous generations have been known for their speed of data transition, and in this case, it will be also remarkable. It is speculated that between the end of 2018 and 2020, the 5G platform will be operating at its best. The real advantages of 5G will come in massive speed, capacity and low latency, overpassing the levels of 4G technologies. Now, 4G networks are also improving, but still are expensive, power-consuming and demand complicated service plans.
International communication association (ICA) agreed that 5G connections must be based on user experience, system performance, enhance services, business models and management. Some of the criteria to qualify for a 5G connection are:
- One to 10Gbps connections to end points in the field
- 90 percent reduction in network energy usage
- 1000x bandwidth per unit area
- 10 to 100x number of connected devices
- Perception of 99.999 percent availability
- Perception of 100 percent coverage
- One millisecond end-to-end round trip delay
- Up to ten-year battery life for low power, machine-type devices
If you remember the 3G network was a breakthrough in communications, receiving a signal from the nearest phone tower and used for phone calls, messaging and data. 5G in some way is compared to the 3G network revolution. Nokia and Ericcson, have been testing products that will offer 5G networks aiming mobile carriers rather than costumers, and Qualcomm and Samsung have focused on hardware creating new products like home routers.
The evolution of communications is bringing us closer to the future where things are getting simple and effective. It will be worth the wait and witness the progress of communications, turning 5G into a necessity.