Did you hear? 5G is here!
Err… of course you did. These days, it seems like every mobile provider is touting their new 5G connection. In fact, most providers have a 5G option already available.
But what is 5G, exactly? And what makes it better than 4G?
To answer this, first we need to understand how mobile networks function. Then we can discuss the benefits of 5G – and what you can expect from it.
The evolution of mobile networks: What the “G” means
First things first: There are a lot of different types of mobile networks, and each provider uses their own (though some “borrow” from each other).
If you’ve ever gone traveling and used roaming, then you know what it’s like to switch between networks – and the same is true if you’ve changed providers (maybe you noticed slower or faster internet after changing).
Now, the first of these mobile networks was the analog cellular network. We can now call that “1G” (although the naming system was only introduced in 2017, so it was never actually called “1G” when it was in primary use).
Next, we moved into digital cellular technology, such as CDMA, GSM, and TDMA. These “2G” networks were faster than the previous, BUT they were incompatible. (For example, you can’t make a phone call to someone on a computer – the devices don’t speak the same “language”.) When it was released, the entire industry had to catch up with this new standard… which took some time.
After that came 3G, which massively increased speeds from about 200Kbps to 1-2Mbps (a huge leap).
Then there was 4G, the current standard – which made it possible to reach even gigabit speeds (thousands of times faster than the previous).
And now here we are, knocking at the door of 5G.
What is 5G?
5G is essentially the next evolution in mobile networks – and it brings a ton of new capabilities with it. The three main improvements of this new network include:
- Bigger channels: This speeds up data transmission, making the internet faster.
- Lower latency: This makes your connection more responsive.
- Increased connections: 5G allows for a LOT more devices to be connected at once.
Beyond this, there are actually three forms of 5G: low-band, mid-band, and high-band. These different types have unique advantages and disadvantages, and all of them are incompatible with each other right now.
This means we’re still not sure EXACTLY how 5G will be used – but we do know it will be better at supporting those next-generation applications that will soon be helping us live better lives.
Why was 5G invented?
One of the main driving reasons behind the development of 5G is the Internet of Things (IoT). We’re seeing more smart devices than ever, and our old mobile networks aren’t good at handling all those connections. Now, imagine a world where every little thing is connected. That’s a lot of data being sent – and with the 4G network, “virtual traffic jams” would become a serious problem.
When the 4G network was created, we couldn’t anticipate the world we’d live in – even 10 or 15 years ahead. Now, armed with more information and better technology, it’s only natural that we update things to prepare for the future.
What does 5G mean for me?
If you’re being bombarded with messages about 5G, we don’t blame you for being confused. Do you really need it?
Well, yes and no. You certainly WILL want 5G… but for now, it’s not really all that important. In fact, the most popular version of 5G available today does not perform much better than 4G!
This is normal, of course. Back in 2010, when 4G was first introduced, it was only available on a small handful of phones. It wasn’t for another couple years that we saw it come to life in applications like Snapchat and Uber.
That means you may be able to get a boost here and there from 5G, but most apps won’t truly take advantage of the new technology until 2021 or 2022. It’s mostly laying the foundation at this point.
So if you’re on the fence about 5G, we wouldn’t suggest going crazy for it. The technology to make use of it simply isn’t there yet. However, if you have it, that’s great – you’re ahead of the times!
Hey, wait a minute – what about the radiation?!
With all the exciting things that come with 5G, there are also some unknowns. Perhaps the biggest one is the potential danger of Electromagnetic Field (EMF) radiation.
As we know, the creation of 5G will require a lot of new cell towers. These cell towers are a powerful source of EMF radiation – and considering the fact that radiation levels today are already 100 million times higher than they were 50 years ago, this can be quite concerning. Although experts believe the “non-ionizing” radiation caused by 5G won’t cause harm, nobody knows for sure.
But don’t worry – with modern problems come modern solutions. For example, we live in a world where smartDOTs exist!
If you haven’t heard about it already, smartDOTs are small non-electrical devices that reduce the EMF radiation coming from your phone, laptop, or other EMF-emitting device. Not only do they bring EMF down to a safe level, they also lower the heat coming from your device. It’s the first (and only) solution of its kind… and with 5G around the corner, it’s safe to say that we’re all big fans around the office!
(Want to reduce EMF levels around you, too? Click here to visit the smartDOTs website!)
Conclusion: 5G is the future, but there’s no hurry
In summary, 5G is simply the next step in the development of our mobile networks. There are multiple types, and we’re sort of waiting for the tech world to figure it all out before we’ll really benefit.
Since it’s primarily designed for things to come, it’s not especially important right now… but soon, it will help keep our world of innovation connected and constantly in tune. Pretty cool, huh?
Update (February 19, 2020): “High-Band”, “Mid Band”, and “Low Band” frequencies explained
Reader JTC mentioned in the comments below: “I would like to know more about the differences between low-band, mid-band, and high-band.”
Well, guess what? So do we! Here’s what we learned:
Basically, “High Band”, “Mid Band” and “Low Band” refer to various speeds that a given network (like 4G or 5G) can deliver. In versions prior to 5G, we only had access to “Low Band” and “Mid Band” speeds.
- Low Band covers a broad area, but can only offer relatively slow speeds.
- Mid Band covers a smaller range, but offers higher speeds.
- High Band covers a very small radius (approximately 1 mile), but delivers extremely fast speeds.
This also explains how you can have different speeds from the same 5G network. If you aren’t near a High Band cellular tower, or you don’t have “permission” to use the High Band channel (such as restrictions from your cellular provider), then you’ll use Mid Band (or Low Band) by default.
The goal is to have as much High Band coverage as possible. That’s why cellular providers are racing to create more High Band capacity, so they can have the fastest network. No matter what, 5G will increase speeds for all of us… and eventually, we’ll have plenty of High Band access all around the globe.
Thanks for asking, JTC – hope this helps!
David Maurice Bernstein says
Extremely lucid informative dissertation for which I thank you. More power to your elbow, so to speak! David Bernstein
GiddyUp says
Our pleasure, David! Glad you found the article useful. Power to the elbows!
Rhiannon N Britney says
Great explanation! 😉
Ray says
very good simple explanation of 5G, even I could understand it ( 73 years young)
GiddyUp says
Thanks Ray! If there’s anything else you’d like to learn about, just let us know!
Rory Moore says
good info makes sense to wait for 5g phone after price drop
GiddyUp says
Agreed, Rory. Unless it’s already included, there’s not much reason to pay extra for it yet.
Cowboy Beatnik says
The only draw back is now we will all have to go buy expensive new phones so that the machine can spy on us more efficiently and we can microwave our brains 10x as fast.
Helene Hänninen says
👍
JTC says
I would like to know more about the differences between low-band, mid-band, and high-band.
GiddyUp says
Hi JTC! Your wish is our command – we’ve updated the article to include some more information about this. Interesting stuff, thanks for your comment 😉
Margaret Buckler says
To make this a truly balanced article why didn’t you mention the potential harmful long term health concerns around 5G. Perhaps update and give the people a balanced amount of information in order to make a decision.
GiddyUp says
Hi Margaret, thanks so much for your comment! We didn’t see anything about this in our research, but we looked into this further. It appears that 5G and other forms of signals are quite safe, although there are some misleading facts going around – and there’s some very interesting science behind it. We’re working on a new article about this subject (it’s fascinating!), so that will be published soon – and we will also update this article to include more details. We appreciate your keeping us on our toes!
Peter C says
I’m ready for 5G! Computer and cell phone should be one
Paula says
Some information about why Europe isn’t using it would provide a more critical perspective? Or maybe I don’t understand- maybe that’s a rumor that could have been explained?
GiddyUp says
Hi Paula, thanks for your comment! It looks like Europe is actually quite excited about 5G. The main concern is about Huawei, a large Chinese company – some claim that they may not be secure. For example, if the Chinese government asks Huawei to turn over data transferred on the network, they might be forced to do so. This would compromise everyone’s privacy – so the US has put pressure on the EU to ban Huawei from building their 5G network across the continent, as the US has already done.
So far, the EU has not stopped Huawei (it has only recommended member nations to keep an eye out). Great Britain, for example, has allowed Huawei to assist in building the 5G network there, but it has classified them as a “high-risk vendor”. This means their network won’t be involved in sensitive areas, such as near nuclear plants or government agencies. It’s not completely clear whether or not the security fears are legitimate, and of course Huawei denies any risk, but we’ll keep monitoring this situation.
Great question, thanks for posting! (And you’re so right… there are a lot of rumors out there. Tough to find trustworthy information, but we’ll keep doing our best.)
Jack Hughes says
I THANK YOU for all your efforts. If I had an extra million I would donate to help with your efforts. Alas; along with others I am barely floating now.( Hope my thanks means as much to you as it is meant from me). May the Lord bless you all.
GiddyUp says
Thank you Jack!! Yes, it means a lot to us. Comments like yours inspire us to keep going. We wish you all the best.
Sergio says
Man, we definitely need this tipe of explanations, some time we don’t feel with the confidence of asking for things that, because everything is going to fast on technology and there are people that we need explanation to catch up.
Thank you
Mr David S Smith says
Yes G5 looks attractive. Will the extra bandwidth be used for more irrelevant pretty pictures and advertising and will we really see less latency? I expect more junk and more latency as network operators control the use of their systems. Regarding radiation I suggest that you start by throwing away your microwave cooker. They normally generate 800 Watts of microwave energy in your kitchen and I don’t believe there is no leakage from them. That’s 1000 to 3000 times the energy from a mobile device which transmits 200 to 600 Milliwatts. Like cigarettes, time will tell.
Robert Doell says
That was the greatest explanation of not only what 5G is but the differences between the types of 5G, low, mid, High which makes total sense. Thank You for the clarifications.
Glenn says
Not in to it.
Tom says
Terrific article, I am computer geek working with computers for over 40 years.
I love it
Please continue
Rodney says
These idiots at the so called top, have NO IDEA of how NATURE and this planet work… once they have got the radiation waves so friggin high its going to throw Earths Natural gently wave forms right out of cilter and then we are doomed, the earth will loose ALL its natural rythms just as people are now experiencing with wi fi radiation and 5G where at 60 GHz we as humans and all other life CANNOT TAKE OXYGEN from the air we breath, all so a few psychopaths can think they oiwn the control of the world, pure madness and ALL unecessary.
D J says
Rodney,
I think you need to calm down a little. You need to ask the question, where will you be able to go because you will not stop this “process”. Perhaps find yourself a house clad in tin foil or maybe buy a ticket on the first rocket to Mars.
James D. Petera says
well I’m no computer wiz Im 64 yrs old and only learned how to use the ISO and mac book over the last 20 yrs or so.and am more informed as to your explanation of 5G and look forward to reading your remarks in the future,and am awaiting delivery of my newly purchased PC extra USB stick to bring my wifes mac book air back to life. I can’t wait to see the look on the the blokes face that told my wife toss it out and get this shiny new one,in fact I. may capture his look when she starts it up lol.
Rich Root says
It’s a segment that is worth taking the time to read and think about real-world applications. Time well spent!
Lila Lamson says
5G will kill us…………………………………………………..
Marta says
Thank you for the explanation of the G’s ! I am 78 and have had radiation for cancer ( now free of it) and am not scared of my microwave, I do become disconcerted when info on computer and phone know what each other is saying without me being the one to inform them. I realize I cannot stop progress but sometimes I miss our 1940’s- 50’s communication models. What is that about old dogs learning new tricks? Trying to keep up these days and I appreciate the simplicity of your explanations. Those I can grasp, reading while in between sewing the quilts I make. In my childhood, we were told you have to sit 10-12 feet away from your TV set to avoid radiation. Has that proved out as to why there are high rates of cancer in the USA today? I love my email, my phone, texting and taking photos and sending them right away. Really has helped our family share our lives during this
completely frustrating, unending pandemic.
JC says
I understand the need for the 5g network but will most consumers actually be able to use it for their everyday use. If all you are using the cell phone is to make calls and the computer to surf the net and for emails then most consumers would never realize the difference between 4g and 5g.
Dhyana says
We already suffer from so much elector magnetic smog. We donʻt need 5G ruining our health!
Lou Primo says
I’m 76 years young and I’m anxious to get my USB stick but I’m concern of 5g for my health or every ones health?????
elizabeth auchterlonie says
I am 87 years old, use computer and simple android doro phone for elderly. SO far I can struggle along with windows 10 which I hate for its complexity, I did so much more with earlier versions of windows. I read you article with interest an appreciate effort made to simplify explanations re differnt G stuff but hope I can ignore most of it and carry on in a dumb down way in spite of Progress. Is there anything I really need to know about changes that will be of benefit to an oldie?
Chad Armknecht says
I do not understand the need for or actual benefit to my life for all that speed ! All this when there comes increased danger to my body from radiation. So the benefit is I can download something in a few minutes or a few seconds ? Gee what will I do with all that time I saved? I sure do not need all that EMF going into my brain and body from all those towers. That is Not good.
Rosie says
I agree with Chad’s comment on Jan 25th. There are great health dangers involved in 5G that are being ignored. This is NOT a good thing at all.
Bill Uhler says
My grandmother who was raised by slaves when her mom died in childbirth,once told me, and remember she saw the advent of cars, planes, TVs, and computers, There is nothing new under the sun its just the people.
mcdodson says
very good stuff.
craftsquilting says
good explanations for some of us who weren’t raised with this tech. knowledge
Marylou says
Describing 5G in terms of speed is a quick, layman’s description. Most people won’t understand or appreciate the IoT that companies are working hard to implement, and need the extra bandwidth to accomplish. But the article works for now…..
JO Theodorus van DEIJZEN says
First I received your news letter. I love it. JO.