Is a 5G Network Really Necessary and How Much Will it Cost Consumers?
The fifth generation, 5G, of technology poised to enter the market sometime between 2020 and 2035, is the latest in wireless technology. But, it’s not just your phone and computer, the ultimate aim is to connect everything such as door locks, security cameras, cars, wearables and so on. Those various technologies will need a lot of bandwidth for super internet speed and a new type of wireless signal.
Benefits of 5G
The benefits of 5G include faster data speed, lower latency — faster processing between sending and receiving data, and a better-connected world. And we do mean connected, as 5G’s capabilities will span the Internet of Things from your smartphone to wearables, smart home appliances, and smart cars. As to efficiency and faster data speed, 5G is expected to make already instant connections, well, more instant. For example, video downloads will go from minutes to seconds with the 5G network.
Are We Ready for 5G?
However, there are differing camps among the mobile industry of whether or not 5G is necessary. Well, not is it necessary. But, is it necessary right now. As consumers, as long as we can stream, get the information we need at super speed, and rarely if ever find ourselves without LTE or a network provider, we’re happy. But, some industry professionals are chomping at the bit to get the next generation of mobility into our hands and in our world.
There are those that argue, the world isn’t yet ready for 5G. Some countries are just getting 4G rolled out which still has a host of issues needing to be ironed out such as range and roaming capabilities. The argument is that while 5G is being hyped as a benefit to users, it’s actually a marketing strategy of network operators, manufacturers, and component companies for more control and the opportunity to charge more money for a new service.
The Cost to Consumers
While on the one hand, we’re told 5G will be cheaper to implement than previous technologies due to advanced software systems and cloud capabilities. It’s the consumers who will feel the pinch of a significantly lighter wallet. Not only are devices expected to be more expensive, but so are the data plans required for the fifth-generation system. However, consumers today are savvier than in times past and even subsidies and incentives may not drive the expected sales. The data required to run the new 5G system may offer faster data speed and lower latency, but it may also significantly increase your monthly wireless bill.
The ultimate dream is that the cell phone can do everything such as self-driving cars, AI, automated drone delivery, virtual reality and social media. But, the question is do you need 5G? One of the issues causing the debate is the increasing capability of WiFi and the assumption that all WiFi is free. It is the combination of a potentially disenchanted customer base and WiFi’s increasing capabilities that will make things tougher with constant spending and new marketing initiatives.
Additionally, there are still some unanswered questions in regard to current experiments for a cell signal. In preparation for 5G, experiments were conducted to see how this frequency spectrum would behave. It was discovered that metal coated glass found in many modern office buildings would create a significant drop in signal with the 10,000th of the signal strength getting through.
For business professionals and anyone needing to use their cell phone in office buildings with this type of glass could become a big problem. So, while signal could get through the normal glass, as in a house, it can’t yet make it through skyscraper-type buildings, concrete or drywall. So, having to add additional base stations to increase signal strength both inside and outside buildings, could also mean that every home would have to have its own base station. Full 5G may mean each consumer must buy their own base station and this is a cost that will far surpass the device and wireless bill.
With so many things to consider such as roll out infrastructure costs and cost to consumers, there are many who believe 5G is not necessary. At least, not yet. The impetus is to solve the problems we already have with 3G, 4G, LTE generations and then move us into the 5th generation. But, as the Mobile World Congress gathers later this month, leading Telecom carriers such as Ericsson will roll out their vision for 5G. A fluid weaving together of multiple systems into a convergent network is the key aim of 5G. The future 5G is here.