Five Reasons to be Excited for 5G

5G or the fifth generation of wireless telecommunications standards is coming, around 2020 and it will change how we use our mobile devices. Believe the hype but don't believe the marketing campaigns for Verizon and AT&T, their improved services this year are not true 5G, merely improvements upon the 4G standard.

1. Incredibly fast download and upload speeds

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) will formalize the 5G standard in November of 2017 but early drafts show that 5G will be fast, like ridiculously fast. True 5G will most likely support a minimum of 20 Gbps upload and 10 Gbps download per tower. This will mean that on average a 5G network user can download 4K movies in mere minutes. 

5G transmitters are expected to fully embrace MIMO (Multiple-Input Multiple-Output)technology; having multiple radios allowing for transmitting and receiving data simultaneously. 5G towers should be able to support dozens of transmitters simultaneously.

2. Reduced latency

Even more impressive than the speed will be the standard for latency (delay) for transmitting data. Current 4G LTE networks have around 20-millisecond latencies but 5G will most likely necessitate sub 5-millisecond latencies. With this dramatically lower latency web apps will respond lightning fast and delays will be almost unnoticeable. Video chats and mobile gaming will be among the platforms to benefit the most from this implementation.

Unfortunately, 5G networks will require different infrastructure than 4G so when it is deployed widely by 2019/2020 do not expect to be able to use have 5G coverage throughout your entire day. 4G networks will not disappear with 5G but you will definitely notice and appreciate 5G networks while using them.

3. Internet-of-Things

Two years ago IoT was a buzzword and now you roll your eyes at it: wireless juice machines? 5G will actually change things though. First, it will be a different frequency than that of your standard Wi-Fi so it will no longer need to compete with the extremely crowded 2.4 GHz spectrum.

Second, and most important is the advantage of those sub 5-millisecond latencies. Devices will be able to communicate more quickly. Your smartphone will become faster because now the network itself can handle the processing. Apps and wearables will be able to monitor more things and will be more location and context aware as more and more sensors are inter-connected. 5G networking standards are being designed exactly with IoT in mind. 

4. Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality

Still in the niche space, AR/VR have been around for awhile but have not been widely deployed or implemented. 5G might be able to change user behavior on these technologies. Smart cars could communicate with your phone and display on screen upcoming appointments. Self-driving cars could even use 5G networks to communicate with each other to reduce traffic and increase safety.

Increased streaming speeds and lower latencies are also ideal for VR as upcoming Olympics and World Cups could be experienced as if you were actually there thanks to 360-degree video live-streamed over a 5G network. This technology will trickle down and soon after deployment you might be able to watch your favorite sports team play as if you were actually there in the stadium or even on the field! 

5. Cloud based apps

Embrace the cloud. 5G networks will be so powerful and fast that the need to store data on your local device might become a thing of the past. With 5G your small wearable smartwatch could have access to your entire 500 GB library of music or your phone will be able to stream any new movie from Netflix while you are on the bus. 

Embrace it, love it. Believe the hype! 5G is coming and our mobile device consumption habits will change. Like all new standards, 5G won't be ubiquitous initially and 5G has some limitations due to wavelengths that engineers will need to address to ensure total coverage across your daily life. Nonetheless, 2020 cannot come soon enough!

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