Verizon unveiled their first public test of a 5G network yesterday in Chicago. This occurred well ahead of the April 11th target date. However, the question remains: is 5G going to be that big of a deal? Today we’re going to look at what the experts are saying about this new network connectivity standard.
5G Phone Speeds
What is 5G?
In simple terms, 5G is simply the next step in wireless connectivity. It’s not some new type of connectivity, it’s just significantly faster than existing technology. The current wireless infrastructure works on 4G LTE, a standard that was unveiled in the early 2010’s. 5G is a new standard that is promising to be between 10 and 100 times faster.
If phone manufacturers are to be believed, 5G will be the biggest shift in smartphones yet. The speeds are promised to be so good that some people will have faster internet on their phone than in their home. Verizon has stated you could expect “typical speeds of 450 megabits per second, with peak speeds of nearly 1 gigabit per second, and latency less than 30 milliseconds.”
More than Just Phones
There’s more going on with 5G than just fast phone speeds, though. 5G speeds will enable new uses of technology, such as remote surgery for isolated regions. Remote surgery will allow doctors in remote regions to contact doctors who can walk them through a surgery step-by-step using technology and robotics.
Another example of 5G uses outside of phones will be for city planning. Cities will be able to link their traffic lights via a 5G network and make sure they all stay synced up. This will allow for traffic to flow much more easily.
When Will This Arrive?
5G speeds are being tested now in limited markets, specifically in Chicago. As 2019 rolls on, more 5G tests will be seen in other large cities. As for a nationwide rollout, it might be late 2020 before all areas in the US have 5G coverage. For the time being, you don’t need to futureproof: 5G phones won’t be on sale until later this year.