5G wireless networks are coming. Sooner than you might think. Most wireless companies around the world are testing 5G network technology right now. You could start seeing availability by late Spring 2019 depending on your location.
Here are some things you should know about 5G:
- Your current phone is not capable of 5G connections. You will have to get a new device to take advantage of 5G.
- 5G devices will be backward compatible with 4G systems. Some functionality could be reduced though.
- 5G will be faster. Connections will likely start at the Gigabit (Gbps) level and increase from there.
- Coverage will be limited to urban areas for quite a while
After this the points about 5G get a little murky. Here’s some things you’ll likely hear. I will give you a little bit of my own opinion as to why I consider these murky.
- 5G will offer greater capacity. 5G does have the potential to offer far greater capacity than previous technology.
This capacity and speed does have a hidden downside though. Range. 5G will have a much shorter range then it’s predecessors. So much so that base-stations may have to be installed on just about a city block apart to maintain coverage in a congested area. Most providers will tell you that finding places to install base-stations is already difficult and expensive. Rolling out 5G coverage across Canada will be expensive. Expect 5G to be limited to urban centers for a long time.
- 5G will be cheap.
I can’t see this. Not in my home country of Canada anyway. Data is a very expensive commodity in this country. Also given the points described above I really can’t see this. This would be a major 180 degree turn for wireless providers in Canada.
- 5G will replace all other data connectivity methods (WiFi, Ethernet, Fiber to the home, Telephone)
In some cases I believe this will happen. In areas where running fiber would be prohibitively expensive such as retro-fitting old buildings in urban centers. Deployment to rural areas where fiber would be difficult and expensive. The costs of 5G infrastructure would have to drop first. Maybe 5 years in. I don’t expect 5G would ever reach “Canada wide” as 3G and 4G deployment has.
I don’t see 5G replacing WiFi or Ethernet for most people. It’s already in most devices and is free to use. It’s also still as fast or faster then 5G so I don’t see the average user abandoning WiFi to move to pay-per-use tech.
- EVERYTHING will be connected via 5G.
I believe 5G will be the start of a “connected” revolution for sure. There are a number of companies already selling connected products. 5G could be the standard that gets this rolling and the potential is astounding. Self-driving cars that are talking to each other to prevent accidents. Smart home devices that learn your habits and cooperate together on your morning routines. Medical sensors that can send health data to your physician continuously and in real time. The sky is the limit. I see 5G being part of a “wireless sandwich” that includes WiFi and 4G not replacing it entirely.
Two things have to be addressed in time though.
Price which I already have said will be a major hurdle to adoption in Canada.
Security being the second point. With so much personal data moving around so quickly hackers could have a potential field day. All of this personal data is juicy target too. Anyone offering a 5G device for sale or providing 5G wireless service will have to adopt an open policy when it comes to talking about, and addressing security issues. This also needs to be communicated in a way that the average consumer understands. Something that we’ve gotten better at but there is still a long way to go.
One thing is for certain. In the next 10 years we will be more connected then ever before. 5G is not an end, only the beginning.
There are going to be some rough patches ahead. Things that experts haven’t even thought of are going to happen. It’s going to feel a little like the “Wild West” but it will open doors for those who can’t and that’s what technology does best.
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