5G
will do much more than significantly improve your network connection. It
provides new opportunities, enabling us to deliver groundbreaking solutions
that reach across society.
Imagine
billions of connected devices gathering and sharing information in real time to
reduce road accidents; or life-saving applications that can take flight thanks
to lag-free guaranteed connections; or production lines so predictive they can
prevent interruptions well before they occur.
Wireless
communications systems use radio frequencies (also known as spectrum) to carry
information through the air.
5G
operates in the same way, but uses higher radio frequencies that are less
cluttered. This allows for it to carry more information at a much faster rate.
These higher bands are called 'millimetre waves' (mm waves). They were
previously unused but have been opened up for licensing by regulators. They had
been largely untouched by the public as the equipment to use them was largely
inaccessible and expensive.
While
higher bands are faster at carrying information, there can be problems with
sending over large distances. They are easily blocked by physical objects such
as trees and buildings. In order to circumvent this challenge, 5G
utilises multiple input and output antennae to boost signals and capacity
across the wireless network.
The technology
also uses smaller transmitters. Placed on buildings and street furniture, as
opposed to using single stand-alone masts. Current estimates say that 5G will
be able to support up to 1,000 more devices per metre than 4G.
