You’ve heard so many great things about 5G. Is it time to switch your flybox from Orange for a 5G internet plan from the same provider, or is it better to stick to 4G?
If this is something you’re currently pondering, read on, as the discussion below may help you make a decision.
What Is 5G?
The term 5G stands for fifth generation. Specifically, it refers to the fifth generation of wireless cellular technology. Its name implies the existence of 1G, 2G, 3G, and 4G.
Since it’s the latest in the series, it should logically be the best mobile network connectivity to date, better than the prior generations. This is true because 5G mobile networks are faster, can accommodate a significantly higher volume of connections, and have incredibly low latency.
Key Features of 5G
The following are the specific features of 5G mobile networks.
1. Faster Speeds
5G offers a dramatic leap in data transfer rates compared to previous generations. For context, consider the following:
- 1G used an analog signal and permitted only phone calls and text messages (via the short message service or SMS).
- 2G relied on digital signals, making data transfer through cellular lines possible. It enabled richer multimedia messages (multimedia messaging service or MMS) and mobile emails via general packet radio service (GPRS).
- 3G offered better bandwidth and data transfer speeds, allowing for internet browsing, video calling, video streaming, and mobile gaming. It’s still available, but some network operators are sunsetting their 3G networks.
- 4G is five times faster than 3G, providing faster download speeds. The most advanced 4G iteration – 4.5G or long-term evolution advanced – is theoretically capable of transfer rates of up to 100 megabits per second (Mbps) for mobile devices and up to one gigabit per second (Gbps) for fixed devices.
- 5G can provide transfers that are 20 times faster than 4G. 4G’s upper limit for data transfer (100 Mbps) is the average data transfer rate of 5G connections. Theoretically, 5G connections can deliver speeds of up to 20 Gbps.
Streaming high-definition content in 5G is seamless, with minimal buffering or interruptions. This speed boost enhances the overall online experience, making activities like video conferencing, online gaming, and browsing more efficient and enjoyable.
5G offers particularly speedy content downloads and software updates. In ideal circumstances, 5G allows you to potentially download an entire movie in 10 seconds.
2. Lower Latency
Latency is the time between initiation and execution—in wireless cellular technology, this is the interval between transfer initiation and actual transfer. 5G significantly reduces this delay, providing near-instantaneous response times. Specifically, while 4G latency is 400 milliseconds (ms), 5G’s is 1 ms. That’s a delay of a thousandth of a second, which should be virtually imperceptible.
Low latency is necessary when using applications that require real-time feedback, such as online gaming, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). Gear up with a VR headset and play a simulation game without feeling any response lags, or chat with friends using AR technology and feel their incredibly real-like presence in your living room.
In autonomous vehicles, 5G’s almost nil latency allows for rapid communication between vehicles and their environments, enhancing safety and performance.
3. Increased Capacity
5G networks have 100 times more traffic capacity than 4G. In other words, a 5G network can support more connected devices than 4G.
This increased capacity is particularly beneficial in densely populated areas like stadiums, concert venues, and urban centers, where many devices compete for network access. With 5G, you experience less congestion and more reliable connections, even in crowded environments. This capability is essential as the number of internet-connected devices, including smart home gadgets and wearables, continues to grow.
4. Enhanced Reliability
5G provides more stable and consistent connections, even in environments where previous generations struggled. This reliability is due to advanced technologies that effectively manage and optimize network traffic.
For users, this means fewer dropped calls, consistent data speeds, and a more dependable connection overall. Enhanced reliability is critical for businesses relying on cloud services, remote work, and critical communications. Oil and gas companies relying on proactive surveillance using connected machine-to-machine sensors and Internet of Things (IoT) devices will find 5G’s reliability (as well as its high speed and low latency) exceptionally useful.
5. Network Slicing Availability
Operators can “slice” a single physical 5G network into multiple virtual networks. Each slice can then be configured to meet specific requirements, ensuring optimal performance for different applications.
For instance, one slice can be optimized for low-latency applications like autonomous driving, while another can handle high-throughput needs like video streaming. This customization ensures that every application receives the necessary resources and provides the requisite performance levels. Ultimately, it enhances the overall user experience.
Should You Shift From 4G to 5G?
If you have a 4G plan now, should you shift to 5G? Definitely. 5G is clearly superior to 4G in terms of data transfer rates, capacity, reliability, and efficiency.
Of course, 5G is not available everywhere. 4G still has the most comprehensive coverage among wireless cellular technologies. The 5G signal is most often available only in dense urban areas, and rural and remote locations are woefully behind when it comes to 5G cellular connectivity. The prohibitive cost of building and deploying 5G infrastructure is likely the reason for the slower-than-ideal 5G uptake.
Additionally, if you live or work where you do not get the best cellular signal, you may not realize 5G’s promised reliability. 5G signals, especially those in the higher frequency bands (millimeter waves), have a shorter range and are more easily obstructed by buildings, trees, and other obstacles.
Additionally, if you want to take advantage of all that 5G offers, you need a 5G device. Your 4G devices may be incompatible with 5G. 5G also leads to higher power consumption, potentially reducing battery life in mobile devices.
Finally, the security of 5G networks requires further study. 5G can accommodate more devices and connections, which can potentially mean a significantly higher number of cyber-attack vectors — i.e., ways by which the 5G network may be infiltrated or breached online.
Switch to 5G
Should you switch from 4G to 5G? Yes.
As long as you have 5G coverage, a 5G device with appropriate security, and a location from which 5G signals are not easily blocked, shifting to 5G makes perfect sense.
Also Read: Best Oneplus 5G Mobiles in 2023
