5G network is getting a lot of hype right now, and people want to get their hands on it as soon as possible. But, most people don’t even know What is 5G Technology, and How does 5G works. Keep reading, as we will be discussing everything about the 5G Network, including its pros and cons.
Before we proceed, you might also be interested in understanding How Phones work.
Table of Contents
What is 5G Technology?
5G is the latest Generation of Networks after 2G, 3G, and 4G. If you have read our previous article, Difference Between 2G 3G 4G 5G, you would understand that the speed keeps increasing by 5-10 times with each generation.
But, it’s not just about the speed. 5G is much improved and superior technology than 4G.
How does 5G work:
5G Network uses a higher frequency, which ranges between 24 GHz to 90 GHz. But, you might have studied in your science class that higher frequency has a lower range. That means 5G can be 10-15 times faster than 4G, but the Range will be less.
Advantages of 5G:
To make you understand 5G better, we are comparing it with the previous generation 4G.
4G Vs 5G Launch Date:
4G started rolling out around 2012 and is still under development in several small towns. However, the majority of the world has adopted the 4G Technology.
On the other hand, 5G is introduced in the year 2020, and it still requires a lot of time to spread across the world. We will discuss more about it later in this article.
Difference Between 4G and 5G Speed:
While 4G provides speeds up to 100 Mbps, 5G Network offers a speed of 1 Gbps, which is 10 times more than 4G. Moreover, the speed might also improve in the future. But, it’s not just about the speed, as 5G comes with lots of other features.
4G Vs 5G Frequency:
As we have mentioned above, 5G has a frequency between 24 GHz to 90 GHz. In comparison, the 4G used a frequency of around 6 GHz.
4G Vs 5G Latency:
In short, Latency is the speed taken by the device to send and receive data.
For example, if you press a button on your TV remote and the channel changes after 2 Seconds, then the Latency is 2 Sec (which is very high). I just took an example so that you can understand the concept).
In the 4G Network, users experienced a Latency of around 30 ms to 100 ms (ms = milliseconds).
However, 5G claims to have a Latency of 1 ms or even less. It is great news for tech lovers.
Low Latency will improve the speed and performance of Manufacturing Machines in industries. Besides that, Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) applications will provide a better experience.
Moreover, it is the best news for Gamers, especially Online Gamers. Reduced Latency means reduced Ping. Now players can have a faster reaction time while playing competitive online games like PUBG, FreeFire, etc. It will also improve Cloud Gaming.
5G is still in its initial stage, so people in the US are experiencing a Latency of 25 ms for now. However, when the technology is fully adopted, it will have a Latency of 1ms or even less.
Difference Between 4G and 5G Connectivity:
If you have noticed, there were connectivity issues with 4G in crowded places like stadiums, concerts, etc. Because 4G Network cannot handle all those devices at once. However, this will be changed when we switch to the 5G network.
Machine to Machine Communication:
With 5G Technology, you can connect one or more 5G devices with each other. You can turn on/off the lights with your device, open the refrigerator door, operate washing machines, and much more.
Besides that, 5G is going to bring a huge impact on Self-driving/Automated Cars. If all the self-driving cars have 5G technology, they can communicate with each other, reducing the accident rate to zero.
Moreover, doctors can perform remote surgeries on patients from other locations. It is not practiced with 4G Technology because of the higher Latency.
As I said before, 5G is still in its initial stage, and we don’t know its full capability yet. We will be updating as soon as new features are introduced.
Can we get 5G Updates on our devices?
Some people think they would just get a 5G update that will turn their 4G phones into 5G. No, that’s not going to happen. It’s a LIE. Some mobile manufacturers may claim to offer it, but you won’t be getting the REAL 5G. It could be a software-improved 4G network.
It’s not an Android update. You might get Android updates because it’s an Operating System (which is also a type of Software). On the other hand, 5G requires suitable hardware, and you cannot upgrade your hardware through a Software Update.
Read more about the Difference between Hardware Software and Firmware here.
Disadvantages of 5G:
Well, everything has its pros and cons, so does 5G. Here are some of the Drawbacks of 5G Technology. Some of them can be improved over time, and some are permanent. Let’s see.
Reduced Range:
The Range will be reduced compared to 4G mobiles.
4G mobiles used to work even if there was one cell phone tower in a small town. But, 5G doesn’t have the same Range. Therefore, network operators must place 5G towers or modules close to your location. Hence, in the coming days, you might see several 5G modules on street lights, traffic signal poles, electrical poles, etc.
Check out How Mobile Phones Work.
Hardware Requirements:
You cannot use the 5G Network on your 4G Devices. It means you must Buy a New Phone. But wait. Don’t rush out to buy a new 5G phone yet. Read the conclusion to know why.
Equipment and Service Cost:
As we discussed several times, 5G has a lesser Range. Therefore, we need to place 5G nodes at every junction. It would cost the Government and mobile operators a lot of money. Therefore, to cover the expenses, they will charge us with costly data plans.
Time Taking Process:
It would still take a lot of time for 5G to be adopted all over the world. It is because the 5G Nodes/Towers need to be placed manually. And there should be lots of those on every street. Therefore, it might take several years for 5G to be established in small towns and cities.
Danger to Health:
Hold right there. There is no need to panic. Most people believe that 5G can cause harm to our health because of the high frequency it uses. However, it hasn’t been proved yet. Moreover, Scientists indeed claim that even the highest 5G frequency can be considered safe. So, we cannot tell exactly until we start using it.
Battery:
The network technology is increasing, but what about the battery tech? The batteries we use today won’t be able to last long with the high-frequency waves. Even the people who got hands-on 5G phones complain that the phones are heating up and the battery is draining faster.
Should you start using 5G? (My Opinion)
5G is still in its initial stage. Therefore, I suggest you wait for a few years before buying a 5G device. On the other hand, Tech savvies can buy and check out its features (If you have a 5G network around you).
I’m saying this because when 4G was released, it had several connectivity issues. Later, the LTE module of 4G was improved into VoLTE to improve the voice quality. We discussed LTE Vs VoLTE in our previous article about the Difference Between 2G 3G 4G 5G. Therefore, you must wait and let all the initial issues of 5G be fixed.
We need to install 5G Modules/Nodes on all the towers manually. Therefore, it takes lots of human work. Hence, it would take a lot of time for the 5G Network to be available in your locality.
Moreover, the price of 5G phones is sky-high right now. Hence, you don’t have to buy the 5G phones yet. Later, you will get 5G phones at a cheaper price. Even if you get a 5G phone, you must have 5G Network in your locality to use it.
However, now, you know What is 5G Technology, How it works, and What is the Difference Between 4G and 5G Networks. Therefore, the decision to get 5G devices or not is in your hands.
Comment below if you come to know of any new features of 5G. Also, share this article as much as you can.
