What is 5G

Fifth-generation wireless (5G) is the latest iteration of cellular technology, engineered to greatly increase the speed and responsiveness of wireless networks. With 5G, data transmitted over wireless broadband connections can travel at multigigabit speeds, with potential peak speeds as high as 20 gigabits per second (Gbps) by some estimates. These speeds exceed wireline network speeds and offer latency of below 5 milliseconds (ms) or lower, which is useful for applications that require real-time feedback. 5G will enable a sharp increase in the amount of data transmitted over wireless systems due to more available bandwidth and advanced antenna technology.

5G networks and services will be deployed in stages over the next several years to accommodate the increasing reliance on mobile and internet-enabled devices. Overall, 5G is expected to generate a variety of new applications, uses and business cases as the technology is rolled out.

How fast is 5G?

5G download speeds can currently reach upwards of 1,000 megabits per second (Mbps) or even up to 2.1 Gbps. To visualize this, a user could start a YouTube video in 1080p quality on a 5G device without it buffering. Downloading an app or an episode of a Netflix show, which may currently take up to a few minutes, can be completed in just a few seconds. Wirelessly streaming video in 4K also becomes much more viable. If on mmWave, these examples would currently need to be within an unobstructed city block away from a 5G node; if not, the download speed would drop back down to 4G.

Low band can stay locked at 5G over longer distances, and even though the overall speed of low-band 5G may be slower than mmWave, low band should still be faster than what would be considered a good 4G connection. Low-band 5G download speeds may be up to 30 to 250 Mbps. Low-band 5G is more likely to be available for more rural locations. Midband 5G download speeds may reach up to 100 to 900 Mbps, and it is likely to be used in major metro areas.

Fig. 1 - 5G speed comparison

How does 5G work?

Wireless networks are composed of cell sites divided into sectors that send data through radio waves. Fourth-generation (4G) Long-Term Evolution (LTE) wireless technology provides the foundation for 5G. Unlike 4G, which requires large, high-power cell towers to radiate signals over longer distances, 5G wireless signals are transmitted through large numbers of small cell stations located in places like light poles or building roofs. The use of multiple small cells is necessary because the millimeter wave (mmWave) spectrum– the band of spectrum between 30 and 300 gigahertz (Ghz) that 5G relies on to generate high speeds – can only travel over short distances and is subject to interference from weather and physical obstacles, like buildings or trees.

Previous generations of wireless technology have used lower-frequency bands of spectrum. To offset the challenges relating to distance and interference with mmWave, the wireless industry is also considering the use of a lower-frequency spectrum for 5G networks so network operators could use spectrum they already own to build out their new networks. Lower-frequency spectrum reaches greater distances but has lower speed and capacity than mmWave.

The lower frequency wireless spectrum is made up of low- and midband frequencies. Low-band frequencies operate at around 600 to 700 megahertz (MHz), while midband frequencies operate at around 2.5 to 3.5 GHz. This is compared to high-band mmWave signals, which operate at approximately 24 to 39 GHz.

MmWave signals can be easily blocked by objects such as trees, walls and buildings – meaning that, much of the time, mmWave can only cover about a city block within direct line of sight of a cell site or node. Different approaches have been tackled regarding how to get around this issue. A brute-force approach involves using multiple nodes around each block of a populated area so that a 5G-enabled device can use an Air interface – switching from node to node while maintaining MM wave speeds.

Another approach – the more feasible one – for creating a national 5G network is to use a combination of high-, medium- and low-band frequencies. MmWave may be used in densely populated areas, while low- and midband nodes may be used in less dense areas. The low-band frequencies can travel longer and through different objects. One low-band 5G node can stay connected to a 5G-enabled device for up to hundreds of square miles. This means that an implementation of all three bands will give blanketed coverage while providing the fastest speeds in the most highly trafficked areas.

What are the benefits of 5G?

Even though the downsides of 5G are clear when considering how easily mmWave can be blocked, or less clear considering radio frequency (RF) exposure limits, 5G still has plenty of worthy benefits, such as the following:

Benefits
use of higher frequencies
high bandwidth
enhanced mobile broadband
lower latency of 5 ms
higher data rates, which will enable new technology options over 5G networks, such as 4K streaming or near-real-time streaming of virtual reality (VR)
the potential to have a 5G mobile network made up of low-band, midband and mmWave frequencies

When will 5G launch?

Wireless network operators in four countries – the United States, Japan, South Korea and China – are largely driving the first 5G buildouts. Network operators are expected to spend billions of dollars on 5G capital expenses through 2030, according to Technology Business Research (TBR) Inc., although it is not clear how 5G services will generate a return on that investment. Evolving use cases and business models that take advantage of 5G’s benefits could address operators’ revenue concerns.

Simultaneously, standards bodies are working on universal 5G equipment standards. The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) approved 5G New Radio (NR) standards in December 2017 and is expected to complete the 5G mobile core standard required for 5G cellular services. The 5G radio system is not compatible with 4G radios, but network operators that have purchased wireless radios recently may be able to upgrade to the new 5G system via software rather than buying new equipment.

Teledensity comparison

In terms of 5G networks and mobile data communications, penetration across several countries has been increasing in the past ten years. Several opportunities are opening to target a new market towards 5G utilization. The following table (source: http://www.ift.org.mx/) depicts how teledensity (i.e. penetration of internet service through mobile network) is reflecting a regular way-of-living throughout the population regardless of geographical location: