5G is finally here as the proper successor to 4G wireless technology! However, most people don't really know much about 5G or how it works. Well, time for me to give you a little introductory course in this new emerging technology that has only recently come into the market...
5G means fifth generation because this is the standard for the fifth generation technology standard for broadband cellular networks. 1G was analog, voice-only, and developed in the 1980s. 2G allowed for digitally encryped conversations and SMS text messages. 2G is still used in parts of Europe, Africa, Central America, and South America. 3G offered more security and allowed mobile phones to use and download smart application that were previously unavailable to mobile users. 4G allows for many applications we enjoy today such as IP telephony, gaming services, high-definition mobile TV, video conferencing, and 3D television. It was introduced in 2009 by Swedish telco company Telia Sonera.
Now, we have 5G with greater bandwidth and download speeds that could potentially go up to 10 gigabits per second. This will make these cellular networks easier to be used for general internet for laptops and desktop computers, which will increase competition for existing internet service providers such as cable internet, dial-up, DSL, fiber optic-to-the-home, and satellite internet. 5G also offers more options in terms of airwaves in the form of low, middle, and high band coverage. 5G includes a form of encoding called OFDM and this allows for 30% better speeds. There will also be new applications for the internet of things: a system of interconnected computing devices, mechanical devices, digital computers, objects, and.or people that have unique identifiers and the ability to transfer data without requiring human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction.
