Since the early days of the internet, there had been evolution of communication networks which enhances the speed of the internet connections. Since the days of the 2G network, the 3G or the 3rd Generation Network was a big leap forward which was faster and more superior to it’s predecessor and then we had the 4G which also stands for the 4th Generation network which also superseded the previous generation network and now the 5th Generation or 5G network which is blazing faster than the entire previous generation networks. So let’s talk about the 5G network anyway.

The Speed and Low Latency

The 5th Generation Network or 5G is super fast and one of the main reason for that is because of a feature called the Low Latency which just means the time of request and download of information on your device is super fast you wont even notice it at all

A good example of this would be trying to load a website that has loads of animations and sorts. Usually, your device sends a request to the server using the network and then downloads the information still on that network. The entire process of this circle could take about 20 milliseconds with the current 4G network but that gets massively reduced to as low as just 1 millisecond on the 5G Network which means low waiting time for pull and download.

So with new services like the Google Stadia which is hosted entirely in the cloud, users can stream games straight-up without having to while communication between smart home devices and other IoT applications as well as self-driving cars can connect to the cloud and retrieve data/information for usage which in turn makes everyone connected like never before.

Here is how that work

The strength and weakness of the 5G network is the use of it’s super-high-frequency spectrum which has a much shorter range of coverage but produces high capacity connectivity which delivers a super fast connection. This short range may be attributed to something like a Smartphone mobile hotspot which is of course very short and when you leave that area, the signal becomes weaker.

The biggest minus to the High frequency spectrum is that even a simple block like a wall brick can shorten the lifespan of the connection. You will have to stay just close by the 5G nodes to find it which isn’t really sensible and if that kind of tool is to be used, everyone might have to plant nodes in every corners of their homes, cars and so forth.

But that’s not how to solve that which leads carriers to use lower-frequency-spectrum which is used in popular networks like the 3G for example whereby the network range can get as far and cover wider range even through obstructions such as your house windows, bricks, trees and so forth.

With different deployment taking place in 2020 all around the world, carriers will have to use different network bands in order to improve the range at which the network can get which will in turn reduce the blazing fast speed of the network as you might’ve seen on TVs during experimentation meanwhile that doesn’t mean it will be in the levels of the 4G LTE.

What are the benefits of 5G?

Speed is one of the greatest value the 5G network is going to add to our modern connectivity but that’s not all. The 5G network will also connect a large array of devices ranging from different smart home appliances to various tech and IoT gears throughout.

The network will also handle industry level equipment such as business tools, farm equipment and even Automated Teller Machines or ATMs. Although you might not be able to download a 2GB PUBG game on your Galaxy Fold 5G in just 30 Milliseconds again but the fact that you can download that under 20 minutes is a big leap.

5G Smartphones needed for 5G connection

That’s the case with the new network because older smartphones which especially uses 4G radio cannot connect with 5G network so you might want to look into upgrading your smartphone in the year 2020 and thanks goodness, nearly all smartphone makers now develops 5G capable smartphones although still at the flagship level, it’s certain we’ll continue to see more in the year 2020.

With the likes of Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi, LG already adopting the 5G network, other big names like Apple and Google are likely to bring 5G to their next generation smartphones.

Also it’s worth noting that there are mid-range smartphones already in the market with 5G radio capability such as the Xiaomi K30 Pro 5G which offers high-level network connection. Aside this, 5G smartphones are definitely going to take over in 2020 which will challenge more territories into adopting the new technology.

In the world of technology, there is always something that’ll be better with time and that’s just the way the current stage of wireless communication is. In a matter of time, the 6G network is definitely going to be another super crazily fast network that will take over from the current 5G network.

Smart Homes, Smart Cities and IoT

One aspect where the 5G network will excel far better is in the region of IoT and Smart Cities and Homes. With tons of smart home appliances and gadgets entering the market every day, it’s worth noting that the need for a better and advanced communication between these devices and the cloud in order to retrieve information in a matter of milliseconds is very obligatory.

Now consider the scenarios of self driving cars which you can hail from one city or let’s say you have a car in West Coast, LA but you want it to come and pick you in the nearest city, you can simply look into your smartphone and tap “Come and Pick me up” probably and in a matter of days your car is here to chauffeur you back home.

But that aside, other benefits includes medical researches which can be done right over the internet using super-intelligent computers that requires high-level connection to the internet. The 5G network is like a problem solver in many scenarios which will better enhance how fast the world is able to communicate with one another.

How soon will 5G be global?

That might be a little bit tricky to answer considering the fact that there are tons of politics aside the scientific researches going on constantly to roll this technology out at least in countries whee they are acceptable. Take the situation of Huawei and the US government as an example, Huawei is accused of be a spy for the Chinese government and even though there seems to be no direct connection between both parties, some experts did warned the meddling of the Chinese in affairs that are considered private to the citizens.

But then 5G is already been tested in Nigeria and other African countries like Kenya and South Africa which are some of the largest nations on the continent. Meanwhile it’s being thought that Huawei network modules will be used to power majority of these company’s masks?

The long disadvantage of this if any of those accusations is true is that a backdoor created for the Chinese Government can easily be accessed anytime to spy on citizens and even governmental officials of that nation probably why Donald Trump was never cool with the Chinese from the days of the 5G implementation in the US part of what led to their fall.

But all in all, we expect another decade of faster connection and quick communication with AI and IoT and those things that saves our day, smartphones. Being able to stay in control of your environment using your smartphone or smartwatch, glasses or whatever is an amazing piece of tech they’ll sell to us again.