Jeremiah Ajayi
The fifth-generation (5G) technological standard for broadband cellular networks, which cellular phone providers started rolling out globally in 2019, is the anticipated replacement for the 4G networks that connect the majority of modern cellphones.
By 2025, the GSM Association and Statista project that 5G networks will have more than 1.7 billion subscribers and represent 25% of the global market for mobile technology.
5G networks, like its forerunners, are cellular networks in which the service area is segmented into discrete regions known as cells. Through a local antenna within the cell, all 5G wireless devices are connected to the Internet and phone network via radio waves. Higher download speeds up to 10 gigabits per second (Gbit/s) are available on the new networks. The quality of Internet services in crowded locations is improved by 5G because it is faster than current networks and has a bigger bandwidth that can link more various devices.
The networks are anticipated to be used more frequently as general internet service providers (ISPs) for laptops and desktop computers, competing with current ISPs like cable internet, and will also enable new applications in the internet of things (IoT) and machine-to-machine (M2M) spaces. Because they are not backwards compatible with 4G, 4G-only smartphones cannot use 5G networks. Depending on the RF channel and BS load, 5G speeds will range from about 50 Mbps to 1,000 Mbps (1 Gbps). The mmWave bands would have the fastest 5G speeds, reaching 4 Gbit/s with carrier aggregation and MIMO (assuming a perfect channel and no other BS load).
Speed
In comparison to mmWave bands, sub-6 GHz 5G (mid-band) may give speeds of 10 to 1,000 Mbps and is by far more prevalent. Several American operators will begin deploying C-Band (n77/n78) in the sub-6 bands in 2022. The deployment of C-Band by Verizon and AT&T was scheduled for early January 2022, however it was postponed because of safety concerns expressed by the Federal Aviation Administration. Although low bands (such n5) have slower speeds than the mid and high bands, they provide a larger coverage area for a given site.
Currently, 5G download speeds are capable of exceeding 1,000 Mbps and even going as high as 2.1 Gbps. To illustrate this, consider how quickly a user could launch a 1080p YouTube video on a 5G device. The process of downloading an app or a Netflix program, which can currently take several minutes, can be finished in a matter of seconds. Additionally, it becomes much more practical to wirelessly transmit 4K video. These instances would now need being inside an unobstructed city block of a 5G node if on mmWave; otherwise, the download speed would revert to 4G.
Although the total speed of low-band 5G may be slower than mmWave, low band should still be quicker than what would be considered a solid 4G connection. Low band can stay locked at 5G over extended distances. Download rates over low-band 5G might reach 30 to 250 Mbps. More remote areas are more likely to have access to low-band 5G. Midband 5G is expected to be deployed in major metro regions, with download speeds of up to 100 to 900 Mbps.
Range
Transmit power, frequency, and interference are just a few of the variables that affect 5G’s range. For instance, mmWave will have a lower range than mid-band (such as the n78 band) which will have a lower range than low-band (for example, the n256 band) (e.g.: n5 band)
Cellular service companies employ simulators and drive testing to precisely analyze 5G performance in light of the marketing hoopla surrounding what it potentially bring.
What advantages does 5G offer?
Even though 5G has a number of drawbacks, some of which are obvious when considering how easily mmWave may be stopped and others which are less obvious when considering radio frequency (RF) exposure restrictions, 5G still has several meritorious advantages, such as the following: Higher data rates will enable new technology options over 5G networks, such as 4K streaming or near-real-time virtual reality (VR) streaming, as well as the use of higher frequencies, high bandwidth, enhanced mobile broadband, a lower latency of 5 ms, and the potential to have a 5G mobile network made up of low-band, midband, and mmWave frequencies.
Here are some examples of 5G-capable phones:
Galaxy S10 5G from Samsung
Galaxy Note10+ 5G from Samsung
SM-A90 5G from Samsung
5G OnePlus 7 Pro
Moto z3
Mi Mix 3 5G from Xiaomi
Huawei Mate 30 Pro 5G Huawei Mate X
What 5G smartphones are offered?
A phone or other piece of hardware cannot simply receive a software update to enable 5G on a 4G phone. Hardware specific to 5G is required. Users need a device that supports 5G, a carrier that supports 5G, and to be in a location where a 5G node is reachable in order to use 5G.
