What is 5G ?

5G is the fifth generation mobile network which enables higher speeds, low latency, more reliability, network capacity, increased availability and more user experience. There is a huge competition among nations as well as the companies to build 5G networks. Because they know that they can have huge benefits over other competitors by having 5G networks. If we look at previous generations of mobile networks,

• First-generation: 1G delivered analog voice (1980’s)
• Second-generation: 2G introduced digital voice (Early 1990’s)
• Third-generation: 3G brought mobile data (Early 2000’s)
• Fourth-generation: 4G LTE era of mobile broadband (2010’s) 

The first generation mobile networks were built on analog technology which used radio waves. The second generation started to use digital for transmission of data. The third generation gave digital networks a bandwidth boost and helped the smartphone revolution. US initiated to shifting to 4G which resulted in innovations and upgraded networks. Comparison of 4G with 5G technology shows a huge improvement.

 

After years of waiting, now we can see 5G arriving at consumer's hands. Consumers are very excited about the high speeds and low latency. Currently, 5G is being driven by mainly in four nations: United States, Japan, South Korea and China. 

All four previous generations of mobile networks used macro cell towers, hundreds of feet tall, requiring vast power outlays to transmit over long distances. But 5G works bit different to other generations. Initially 5G networks will integrate with existing 4G networks to provide continuous connection. The 5G network architecture as shown in the above figure helps to provide faster connectivity and low latency applications. 

In a mobile network we can observe 2 main components.

The radio access network : Consists of different types of facilities including small cells, towers and dedicated in-building and home systems that connect wireless devices to the core network. The small cells can be identified as a major feature in 5G networks which use millimetre-wave frequencies with a short connection range. These small cells are distributed to form clusters aggregating to macro network that provides wide-area coverage. 5G Macro Cells will use MIMO (multiple input, multiple output) antennas that have multiple elements or connections to send and receive more data simultaneously. The benefit to users is that more people can simultaneously connect to the network and maintain high throughput.

The core network : The mobile exchange and data network that manages all of the mobile voice, data and internet connections. Core networks are redesigned for 5G to better integrate with the internet and cloud based services and consists of distributed servers in the network to improve latency.

The global connectivity could be easily achieved through 5G technology. If governments are willing to provide people with a genuine worldwide connection, at that point 5G can be seen as progressive approach, engaging already undiscovered regions with regards to video coverage and opening new opportunities for organizations and businesses.

References 

• https://edition.cnn.com/interactive/2020/03/business/what-is-5g/index.html
• https://www.qualcomm.com/invention/5g/what-is-5g
• https://www.wired.com/story/wired-guide-5g/ 
• http://www.emfexplained.info/?ID=25916