Author: Jennifer Goforth Gregory
Date published: October 15, 2024
When you use a mobile device for voice or data connectivity, you are using a mobile cellular network. Today, the network is typically either 4G LTE or 5G technology. 5G Americas reported that Omdia is projecting that 5G connections could reach 7.8 billion globally by the end of 2028. While you've likely heard the term 5G many times, you may wonder what is 5G in terms of technology and benefits.
5G is the fifth generation of the mobile cellular communications network that provides connectivity for devices on the cellular network for both data and voice transfer. Each generation provided an upgrade from the previous technology. For example, 3G provided the network speed needed for smartphones, while 4G increased the data transfer rate.
The first iteration of 5G that was deployed was overlaid on a 4G LTE core with 5G Radio Access Networks (5G RAN). Verizon has been moving to standalone 5G, which runs on cloud-native, container-based software and uses the 5G core instead of the 4G LTE core. Standalone 5G promises significant performance and reliability benefits over non-standalone 5G.
So, what is 5G compared to 4G? Both 4G and 5G networks use radio waves to transmit data. 4G operates on the low-frequency radio wave spectrum, while 5G adds higher radio frequencies that can transfer massive amounts of data quickly. The higher radio frequencies of 5G can enable applications and use cases that require low latency and higher speeds, such as those powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), over the network. The low latency of 5G means that the data could reach the destination more quickly than with 4G.
As a private 5G network example, a manufacturing facility collects a high volume of data from the production line, often through Internet of Things (IoT) sensors. Sensors can provide data ranging from the temperatures of materials to equipment performance. Manufacturers can then use the data to make operational decisions affecting everything from quality to worker safety. Because 5G has low latency, the manufacturers can get near real-time data, which can allow quicker decisions and actions.
Consumers and businesses accessing 5G technology when using connected devices see many benefits of 5G, such as:
The low latency and high speed of 5G means that you can receive near real-time data over the network. Previous cellular network generations did not have lower latency so that the data being sent and received across the network was not generally received in near-real time. The low latency of 5G enables new use cases that require near real-time data, such as healthcare, financial services and supply chain management.
5G Ultra Wideband download speeds are much faster than previous generations of cellular technology. You can now download a movie in minutes or a complex engineering blueprint in seconds (download speeds may vary depending on network and coverage conditions and content optimization for 5G Ultra Wideband). You can also stream a video in public locations in 5G coverage areas, such as certain airports.
5G can generally handle a higher number of devices on the network compared to previous generations. At sports and live entertainment events in 5G-connected venues, 5G Ultra Wideband’s increased capacity can help connect many guests in the same venue at the same time, which can help improve the fan experience. Additionally, 5G’s helps to make it possible to connect a high number of IoT devices, such as sensors in factories and autonomous vehicles, that transmit data simultaneously.
With increased speeds and capacity 5G can help enable consumers and businesses to explore a wide range of new processes and use cases. Here are some examples.
With 5G, factory owners can improve operational efficiency. For example, with a private 5G network, factory owners can employ autonomous guided vehicles and forklifts to help accelerate production cycles. They can also power IoT-enabled devices such as cameras and sensors to enable predictive maintenance. 5G can provide the near real-time connectivity needed for these devices to work effectively.
Transportation issues could make it difficult for patients to engage with healthcare services as it may be difficult for them to travel to medical facilities or specialists. 5G, where available, can help expand healthcare accessibility to communities by powering patient-doctor video calls through purpose-built medical kiosks, tablets that visiting home health professionals use, or from a patient's home connection. 5G can also provide fast, reliable connectivity, and near real-time access to data, which is needed to power remote health monitoring solutions, which are in increasing demand.
Venues and stadiums of all types and sizes are partnering with technology companies to roll out 5G to enable the deployment of connected venue innovations like cashierless concessions, accelerated access, crowd analytics and other technologies that are helping to elevate the fan experience and drive operational efficiencies.
Through 5G technology, students can have access to transformative educational experiences. For example, science lab experiments in classrooms that are difficult to implement in person due to cost and materials can become an option through augmented reality and virtual reality (AR/VR) tools, providing new student experiences to invigorate education.
The high speed and low latency of 5G can facilitate data transfers in near real-time, making it possible to deliver connected retail experiences. By using a store's app with in-store features, it is possible for a customer's shopping list to quickly transmit product data to help find the location of available items, alternatives for out-of-stock products and even the best route through the store to gather items. Retailers could also leverage 5G to boost engagement at physical stores through AR-enabled retail displays. For example, 5G could power smart mirror technology that shows various colors and styling options when a customer selects an item to see it virtually displayed on their body in the monitor/mirror.
Learn more about how Verizon 5G helps businesses digitally transform their organization.
The author of this content is a paid contributor for Verizon.