5G Outcomes in 2020

By Audrey Erb

A new era in digital transformation will begin with the introduction of 5G. 5G represents the fifth generation of wireless data networks. Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint all rolled out a campaign called the 5G Evolution.

While some devices being released this year might boast being “5G enabled devices,” they will not ship any time soon. 5G wireless networks could deliver data at nearly 10 gigabits per second, so that many orders of magnitude faster than the current 4G networks that peak at about 100 megabits per second.

Donald Trump tweeted “I want 5G, and even 6G, technology in the United States as soon as possible. It is far more powerful, faster, and smarter than the current standard. American companies must step up their efforts, or get left behind. There is no reason that we should be lagging behind on…”

While we’re getting a little bit of 5G right now, you should expect the big 5G applications to crop up around 2021 or 2022. There is 5G vs. 5G E vs. 5GHz and a difference between all of them. The difference is 5GHz WiFi is not 5G cellular. 5GHz WiFi is a short range, home networking system that operates in the five-gigahertz radio band. This has more available channels and can typically run faster, but has a shorter range than 2.4GHz. Your home router has 5GHz WiFi. Your router isn’t 5G cellular, the new system wireless carriers are installing now. 5G E will appear in your 4G AT&T phone status bar soon, also isn’t 5G cellular. 5G cellular will require new phones, appearing in 2019 and 2020.

NFL Stadiums have already turned into 5G testing grounds. Verizon has launched 5G in 13 NFL stadiums. Verizon also has rolled out 5G to parts of 31 U.S. cities, AT&T into parts of 21 cities, Sprint’s in nine and T-Mobile in six cities.

The first 5G phones include:

• Samsung Galaxy S10 5G
• LG V50 ThinQ 5G
• Motorola Moto Z4
• Z3 5G
• Galaxy Note10 + 5G
• OnePlus 7 Pro 5G
• Moto Z2 Force 5G
• OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren

 

 

The advantages for 5G include faster download and upload speeds. More reliable mobile connections. Smoother streaming during online content. Higher-quality voice and video calls

Expansion of advanced technologies – such as self-driven cars. 5G will reduce latency in hospitals. Possible to locate and search for a missing person. Visualizing the universe, galaxies, and planets is possible. Education will become easier

The disadvantages for 5G will include that the weather will cause problems with 5G (as well as trees, buildings, walls). A huge battery drain/heat which causes problems as (too hot to even touch, and not last you throughout a day). The upload speeds are not as groundbreaking as the download speeds may sound. The developing infrastructure means high cost. The technology is still under process and research on its viability is going on. Many of the old devices are not competent to 5G, which means all of them need to be replaced with the new ones which are going to be expensive. Lack of widespread coverage. Big cities will get 5G first, whereas remote areas it will take more time

5G has also spread to other countries such as the UK, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, South Korea, Japan and more.

As 5G could replace home broadband and bridge the gap between rural areas and cities, it will give kids in schools more learning tools such as augmented/virtual reality a difference in the classroom. It would help more children in a better learning environment as they could see what the teacher is talking about instead of just hearing. With a 360-degree video for each child, putting on a headset might just change how children learn. In the long run, think about how much this technology could improve in the society and world we live in today. Overall think about the different outcomes that may happen and see if it would be worth it in the end to buy a new phone just for 5G.