With the arrival of 5G, cellular networks are getting an upgrade. The enhanced connectivity made possible by this new technology will enable a variety of uses ranging from telemedicine to helping communities manage local resources such as traffic signals and water supplies. 5G also supports a growing number of connected devices. The technology is actually expected to improve the quality and efficiency of all sorts of products and services consumers enjoy today.
Despite all this, there’s a lot that people don’t know about 5G. That’s why we’ve listed a few FAQs about 5G technology below. Read on.
Question: What Exactly Is 5G?
5G stands for the fifth generation of mobile communications technology. It will allow consumers to access data at faster speeds with lower latency, or delays, in transmitting data. 5G also promises more capacity for a more efficient network. This new generation of technology is being designed with flexibility in mind to support future services and applications that may not even exist today.
Question: How Do 5G and 4G Differ?
5G technology is much faster than 4G LTE and has a shorter response time. 5G can provide data speeds up to 100 times faster and offers an almost instantaneous response time. For example, it can take almost six minutes to download a feature-length movie with 4G. With 5G, the same movie can be downloaded in as little as 15 seconds. Technically speaking, current 4G speeds are approximately 12-36 megabytes per second (Mbps), while 5G services are expected to support speeds of up to 300 Mbps or greater.
Question: Will 3G and 4G Continue to Exist?
4G devices will continue to work in the near future as mobile providers invest in 5G technology. 3G technology, however, may be phased out by mobile service carriers. If you have a 3G phone, ask your carrier if they have any plans to phase out their 3G network. If they do, you will have to buy a 4G- or 5G-enabled smartphone.
Question: When Will 5G Become Available?
5G is already available in many cities across the United States. If you live in a remote part of the country, you may not yet have access to the technology.
