If you’re in the technology sector (or really, if you’re involved in any business that relies on digital technology at all), you’ve likely heard the buzz around 5G. The latest high-speed cellular network standard is poised to transform wireless connectivity as we know it and usher in a new age of digital transformation. Like any new technology, however, it’s wise to take a step back and consider the pros and cons before diving in. In this article, we’re going to look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of 5G networks so you can make an informed decision for your business.
What is 5G?
5G (fifth-generation mobile technology) is the new standard for cellular networks. First released by mobile phone companies in 2019, it relies on radio frequencies for data transmission like its predecessors 3G, 4G and 4G LTE networks. However, improvements in latency and bandwidth give 5G certain advantages like lightning-fast download and upload speeds, improved connectivity, and greater reliability.
Why is 5G important?
In the four years since it burst onto the market, 5G has been widely touted as a disruptive technology, capable of transformation on a similar scale to artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT) and machine learning (ML). As mobile broadband technology expands, the amount of data generated every day is increasing exponentially to the point where 3G and 4G network infrastructures simply can’t handle it. Enter 5G, with its speedy download and upload times and wider bandwidths capable of handling much larger volumes of data.
Advantages of 5G technology
In addition to faster speeds and upload/download times, there are several other important differences between 5G and 3G/4G networks worth noting:
- Smaller physical footprint: 5G uses smaller transmitters than its predecessors, allowing for them to be placed discretely on buildings, inside trees or in other out-of-the-way places.
- Reduced error rates: 5G’s adaptive Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) is better than the MCS used in 4G and 3G, resulting in extremely low Block Error Rates (BER).
- Better bandwidth: 5G networks can utilize a much broader range of bandwidths than previous networks, increasing overall capacity and throughput.
- Lower latencies: 5G networks routinely deliver low latencies as low as a single millisecond, making activities like downloading a file or interacting with the cloud 10x faster than on a 4G or 3G network.
Disadvantages of 5G
Like any emerging technology, there are as many reasons for caution with 5G as for excitement. Let’s take a look at some of the concerns preventing both consumers and enterprises from wholeheartedly embracing it.
- Cybersecurity: While 5G’s algorithms are more comprehensive, users are still vulnerable to cyberattacks, especially due to lack of end-to-end encryption in the 5G NR standard.
- Network slicing: While a popular feature, network slicing can expose 5G software to hackers, malware and other potential breaches.
- Infrastructure: Upgrading equipment to be 5G compatible can be time-consuming and expensive for businesses.
- Gaps in coverage: While many urban areas have 5G coverage, remote areas may not have it or only offer limited coverage.
- Penetration: The high-frequency radio waves that 5G signals travel on are easily blocked by common objects, presenting challenges for seamless routes.
How does 5G technology work?
5G networks are divided into geographical sections known as cells. Within these cells, wireless devices like smartphones, tablets and computers connect to the internet or phone network by sending radio waves between a base station and an antennae. The underlying technology of a 5G network is the same as that of a 3G or 4G network, but its download speeds are much faster. Some 5G networks’ download speeds can reach as high as 10 gigabits per second (Gbps) if only a few devices are on the network.
5G use cases
Now that we have a fuller picture of the pros…
