5G is the fifth generation of wireless communication technology with the potential to revolutionize how we communicate, connect, and conduct business. Unlike its predecessors, 5G delivers lightning-fast data speeds, lower latency, and greater network reliability, making it a game-changer for many industries. With its potential to enable real-time data processing, 5G is expected to facilitate developing and deploying cutting-edge technologies like autonomous vehicles, virtual and augmented reality, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

In this article, we will explore what 5G is, the benefits it brings, and the companies invested in providing this technology through mobile networks in the United States. We will also examine the opportunities and risks involved with the expansion of 5G technology and its implications for society as a whole.

4G LTE -> 5G

5G LTE, or fourth-generation Long-Term Evolution, is the wireless communication technology that succeeded 3G. It provides faster and more reliable data connectivity than 3G, with peak download speeds of up to 100 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 50 Mbps. 4G LTE uses an updated network architecture and different frequency bands, allowing for better bandwidth utilization and reduced latency. This technology allows for high-quality video streaming, video conferencing, and online gaming with minimal lag or buffering. In addition to faster speeds, 4G LTE also offers better coverage and improved battery life compared to 3G.

Coverage utilizing 4G LTE technology has become widespread over the last decade, but is quickly becoming obsolete due to the development and growth of 5G wireless coverage. 5G is the fifth generation of wireless communication technology that promises to bring a new level of speed and connectivity to our digital lives. It is the latest and greatest version of mobile internet connectivity, and it is designed to work faster, more reliably, and more efficiently than any previous generation of wireless technology. 

The speed and bandwidth capabilities are the primary difference between 4G LTE and 5G. While 4G LTE provides a maximum download speed of up to 1 Gbps, 5G can deliver speeds up to 10 Gbps. 5G also has lower latency, meaning data sends and receives almost instantly, which is crucial for applications that require powerful mobile-environment connections.

Additionally, 5G can support a much larger number of devices, up to one million per square kilometer, compared to the 100,000 devices per square kilometer that 4G can support. Another difference is that 5G uses a variety of frequencies, including high-frequency millimeter waves, to transmit data, which allows for faster speeds and higher capacity. Overall, 5G is a significant improvement over 4G LTE in terms of speed, capacity, and latency. 5G  is poised to enable a wide range of new applications and services that were impossible with 4G. Several well-known cellular companies are working towards spreading accessibility to 5G, and this article will discuss their efforts.

Risks

‍Building a nationwide cellular 5G network is a complex and expensive undertaking, and it comes with several risks for cellular carriers in the United States. One of the biggest risks is the significant capital investment. To construct a 5G network, carriers must invest in expensive new infrastructure, such as cell towers and fiber-optic cables, which can be costly to install and maintain. 

Additionally, there are concerns about the security of 5G networks, particularly regarding the involvement of foreign technology companies such as Huawei. The U.S. government has expressed concern that these companies may use their technology to spy on American citizens, and as a result, some carriers may face increased scrutiny and regulation. 

There are also concerns about the potential health risks of 5G networks, as they rely on higher-frequency radio waves that may be more harmful than those used by previous generations of cellular technology. 

Nationwide carriers intent on building nationwide 5G networks have certainly considered these risks. However, competition between them has virtually required each company to commit to building these advanced networks.

Cellular Providers

‍Verizon launched its first 5G network in the United States to be used by cell phones in 2019. Though when initially released, the coverage locations were limited compared to its predecessor 4G LTE. The two main issues with their initial 5G rollout were the small and precise locations in which coverage was available, and the limited number of cellular devices that provided 5G compatibility. This network was built using millimeter wave (mmWave) spectrum which delivers greater speeds for smaller areas than competitors’ 5G towers. Assisted by investing in technology breakthroughs, the current Verizon 5G UW (Ultra-Wideband) was released in 2020 and is available to Verizon cellular customers. In addition to their service, there is a growing list of compatible devices.

The initial goals for AT&T in developing a 5G network differed from Verizon as they began with building a wider-reaching network using low-band frequencies. This initial version of the AT&T 5G network (AT&T 5G+) was activated in 2019, which promised coverage to millions of its cellular customers. Although this version relied on the same frequencies as the existing 4G LTE service, customers saw little improvement in speed. This is due to the priority given to 4G LTE customers. Since the network's release, breakthroughs in frequencies used have vastly improved the expansion and quality of their coverage.

T-Mobile activated its first 5G network in late 2019. Their goal was building the widest-reaching 5G network in the United States , accomplished by leveraging existing 600MHz spectrum towers that blanket the country. By the end of 2021, they merged with Sprint, and worked to build midrange frequency (2.5 GHz) towers, completely dedicated to handling 5G traffic. This midrange frequency delivery method gave T-Mobile a head-start over other wireless providers regarding building 5G networks. 5G Ultra Capacity by T-Mobile is the current network available to customers.

The Federal Communications Commission auctioned off pieces of the C-Band spectrum in the frequency range of 3.7-3.98GHz. This midrange frequency availability was very important to carriers building 5G networks, and saw Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile making significant investments for a share. From these investments, all mentioned carriers are building better nationwide networks. Using a mix of low, mid, and mmWave frequency towers depending on geography/population, each provider’s 5G networks are relatively comparable in coverage and performance today. 

The Dura Digital Takeaway

‍As we move into a new era of connectivity, it will be exciting to see how 5G continues to shape our world. With its potential to deliver lightning-fast data speeds, lower latency, and greater network reliability, 5G is expected to facilitate developing and deploying cutting-edge technologies like autonomous vehicles, virtual and augmented reality, and the Internet of Things (IoT). If you want to learn more about leveraging 5G for your business, contact us for more information.