NEW YORK (AP) — The much-hyped network upgrade called “5G” means different things to different people.
To industry proponents, this is the next big innovation in wireless Internet. For the U.S. government, it’s a key technology of the future that the U.S. will compete with China for control of. For many ordinary people, it is just a mystery.
The technology is one of the topics expected to take center stage at the MWC mobile conference in Barcelona, Spain this month. The interest is not limited to engineers. There are concerns in Washington that China will take the lead in technology development and sell equipment that can be used to spy on Americans.
What exactly is 5G wireless and will you notice it when it comes online?
What is 5G?
5G is a new technology standard for wireless networks, the fifth one of course, and promises faster speeds. The delay when connecting to the network, or “delay”, is reduced. And the ability to connect many devices to the Internet without interruption. 5G networks will ideally be able to better handle more users, more sensors, and higher amounts of traffic.
Wireless companies and phone manufacturers will need to upgrade before we can all use it. The phone needs a new chip and radio antenna. Your current mobile phone will not work on his 5G network.
Wireless companies are preparing. They are revamping network equipment, purchasing pieces of radio spectrum to carry 5G signals, and installing new 5G antennas on cell phone towers, utility poles, and streetlights. Wireless providers plan to invest $275 billion in 5G-related networks in the U.S., according to industry group CTIA.
When will it be available?
Full-scale mobile rollout in the US will begin in 2019. Nationwide rollout will take several years, he said, but even then more rural areas of the country will be left without coverage of the “millimeter wave” frequencies, which promise the highest data speeds and capacity. said Michael Thelander, CEO of wireless consulting firm Signals Research Group.
Zalander predicts that China may be a year behind the U.S. in its initial rollout, but will eventually have the largest rollout, while European countries will roll out more slowly.
But beware of confusion. Wireless carriers have a history of rushing to slap the latest and greatest labels on their networks, and this time is no exception. AT&T is The name 5G has already been applied to the service It’s not actually 5G. (sprint, upset, and sued Its big rival. )
Once your network is ready, you’ll need a 5G-enabled phone to connect to it. The first model is expected to be released in the first half of 2019, but the 5G iPhone is not expected to be released until 2020. 5G phones are likely to be more expensive than his current 4G phones. Don’t worry, even when 5G turns on, you can still use your 4G phone, just not at 5G speeds.
What can we do with 5G?
There’s a lot of hype around the promise of 5G. The industry group says it will promote smart cities by connecting sensor networks that can manage traffic and quickly identify street light outages. 5G has the potential to connect self-driving cars and facilitate new applications in virtual and augmented reality. Its high-speed connectivity could enable better remote surgeries and other telemedicine, help companies automate their factories, and provide businesses with dedicated high-speed internet lanes.
“5G speed and home faster Broadbandization means that existing applications become richer, but it also means that new applications emerge, such as the new Flickr, YouTube, and Snapchat. We don’t yet know what will happen,” wrote Benedict Evans, a partner at Silicon Valley venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz. January Blog Posts .
The most immediate impact for consumers will be faster download speeds for movies and other videos. Thelander said cell phone internet works better in crowded places such as stadiums.
What are the security concerns?
5G networks are one of the front lines of rising tensions between the United States and China. The US government has warned American companies not to use Chinese communications technology in their communications networks due to security concerns. put pressure on other countries Ban Chinese telecommunications company Huawei from building 5G networks.
U.S. officials have long suspected that the Chinese government could use Huawei network equipment for espionage. Huawei rejected such accusations.
