5G is the next generation of mobile networking.
On July 14, the FCC brought it a step closer to reality by adopting rules and allocating radio frequency spectrum for it. Eleven gigahertz will become available. 3.85 gigahertz of it will be for licensed use, and the rest open to all. Another 18 gigahertz may be approved later on. Commercial deployment of 5G may start as soon as 2020.
What will 5G consist of? The technology is mostly in the planning stage, but it aims at a far broader range of services than the existing 4G. Voice communication will continue to be a big part, but data communication is assuming increasing importance.
A new feature is “network slicing,” the ability to create virtual networks for special purposes. It will support variations on the technology for varying demands. The Internet of Things (IoT) needs to connect lots of devices and consume very little power, so that batteries rarely need recharging or replacing. Media streaming calls for a lot of bandwidth. Gaming and other interactive applications need the quickest turnaround possible.
Small cell networks will provide extremely high bandwidth in local areas, with ranges from 10 meters to 2 kilometers. They’re similar to Wi-Fi in concept but use cell networks’ LTE technology. Small cells exist in 4G technology but will be more feasible with 5G’s new features. They’ll allow things like machine-to-machine communication on a massive level.
Streaming video will reach astonishing speeds. With sustained data rates of a gigabit per second or more, 4K video streams and virtual reality environments won’t be any problem.
FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler has said, “5G will enable killer applications yet to be imagined.” With 5G, people and devices will be more connected than ever, in more ways than ever.
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