How Fast is 5G? (And What is it Capable of?)
The arrival of 5G means superfast connection speeds, and a host of new potential. But just how fast is the new generation of mobile network, and what is it capable of? Find out all the facts, and explore 5G's potential, below.
Faster speeds
So, just how fast is 5G? And how does it differ to 4G? 4G mobile networks currently offer maximum download speeds of 300Mbps. With 5G, download speeds are expected to reach up to 10 Gbps – that’s over 200 times faster. While a 4G connection can take around 5 minutes to download a HD movie, 5G network speeds can manage this in under 40 seconds.
These improved speeds will make it easier than ever before to watch your favourite movies and TV shows on the go, and you’ll also be able to stream media and play games in higher resolutions, such as 4K.
And it’s not just downloading and streaming media that’s quicker, you’ll also be able to upload media faster than ever before. Like the improved download speeds, it’s estimated that upload speeds will reach up to 10Gbps too, so you can post your picture to Instagram or upload a video to YouTube in next to no time.
5G and the Internet of Things
Otherwise known as IoT, this is one of the most exciting aspects of using a 5G network. Simply put, the Internet of Things refers to all devices that are connected to the internet, from computers and mobile phones to smart home devices and wearable tech. The idea behind IoT is to allow both domestic and industry services to collect and share data, making them both smarter and more efficient. However, current networks don’t allow this due to their slower speeds and reduced capability.
5G will help improve the Internet of Things, due to its better connectivity and faster speeds. The current wireless infrastructure doesn’t have the capacity to accommodate as many internet-connected devices that are used in the world every day, but 5G will, and therefore can be used to help establish the IoT.
IoT will be used across many different businesses and industries, including the automobile industry, healthcare, logistics and retail.
5G and Smart vehicles
Powered by the Internet of Things, 5G can help deliver self-driving, smart vehicles to the world.
Self-driving cars intelligently communicate with other vehicles on the road, while using sensors to gather data about weather conditions, traffic, location and other road users, in order to drive safely. Although self-driving cars have already been made and tested, the data gathering process eats up large amounts of energy that current wireless networks can’t handle.
Use 5G however, and its high-speed connectivity and low latency will make it possible for smart self-driving cars to continuously collect all the data they need. 5G will ultimately help self-driving cars to be safely rolled out to the public, possibly in as little as 3 years.
5G and Healthcare
5G can also make huge improvements in healthcare in more rural and remote locations. This is because, with an improved IoT, services such as remote surgeries, telemedicine and physical therapy via AR can become possible.
This means that patients in more rural and remote areas may not even need to travel into inner city areas for hospital appointments.
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