Key Takeaways

  • 5G is the fifth generation of mobile data networks, offering faster speeds and lower latency compared to its predecessors, making it ideal for data-intensive activities like gaming and streaming.
  • 5G uses small cells and beamforming technology to improve speeds, increase network coverage, and reduce interference, providing a more direct and reliable connection.
  • While 5G has been deployed in many countries, coverage may vary depending on location, with denser areas having better access. Additionally, the safety of 5G is still a topic of debate, with no consistent scientific evidence suggesting it is harmful but concerns over cybersecurity, privacy, and potential interference with aircraft altimeters.

5G first hit the telecommunications market in 2019 and has since become a staple in newer smartphones. Many of us use 5G on a daily basis, but not many of us actually know what it is, how it works, and if it's safe to use.

Here's everything you need to know about 5G.

The Origins of 5G

5G is the newest iteration of mobile data networks to be made available to smartphones. In early 2019, network providers began rolling out 5G support, with many eager to try this new technology.

Before 5G came 4G, and before that 3G, and so on. It was back in the late 70s that 1G, the first kind of cellular network, was created. The "G" in each version simply stands for "generation", with 5G being the fifth generation of mobile data.

Each new generation of mobile data brings one key attribute: higher speeds. 5G can perform up to 10 times faster than 4G at its optimum level, making it a much speedier option, especially for data-intensive activities like online gaming and streaming. These speeds are achieved via 5G's lower overall latency compared to 4G, as well as its higher bandwidths.

5G providers use small cells and beamforming in order to allow lower latency and higher bandwidths.

By using small cells instead of cell towers, network coverage can be increased, lowering the chance of patchiness and weak connections. Small cells also allow higher demand to be dealt with more effectively, but this is only possible if the cells themselves are placed in optimum locations.

Beamforming also improves speeds and connection strengths by controlling the direction of cellular signals and cutting out unwanted interference (also known as "noise").

This process requires the use of an antennae system and ensures a more direct path from the small cells to the receiving device.

5G also uses higher frequencies of electromagnetic radiation than 4G. According to Nokia, 5G's highest band ranges between 24GHz and 40GHz. In comparison, 4G can only reach the mid-range band, which maxes out at 6GHz. 5G can still use lower bands but is unique in its ability to reach such high frequencies.

What Does 5G Offer Over 4G?

With this next level of cellular internet, can we achieve more?

On top of faster connection speeds, here's a short list of the things 5G can do, but 4G can't:

  • Download large files such as movies or games in a fraction of the time required by 4G.
  • Support higher network demand and traffic.
  • Stream 8K videos.
  • Enhance AR experiences.
  • Support multiple smart home devices at high speeds.
  • Lower instances of gaming lag.
  • Support seamless VR gaming and live streaming.

In the near future, we may find other ways to elevate our daily lives with 5G. Even right now, 5G is being used in the development of some amazing technologies, such as autonomous cars, remote surgery, and smart cities. 5G may also play a big role in virtual tourism, an intriguing industry that allows individuals to visit places in the VR realm.

Where Can You Find 5G Today?

While 5G was initially released in early 2019, it is still far from being in full swing worldwide.

However, the majority of countries around the world have either deployed or invested in 5G as of June 2022, according to a Statista study.

As you can see in the Statista chart below, the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and the majority of Europe have already launched 5G networks. Most of South America and various parts of Asia, including China, Japan, Taiwan, and Indonesia, also fit into this category.

statista chart showing 5g adoption globally on map
Image Credit: Statista

Even some of the most remote nations, such as Greenland and Mongolia, have made investments in 5G, so we may see these countries rolling out networks in the coming years.

According to this Statista chart, only a handful of countries are yet to make any moves toward adopting 5G technology. These nations include Somalia, North Korea, and Afghanistan.

But even if your country of residence has deployed 5G networks, your precise location will affect the kind of coverage you get, if any at all. If you live in a city, you very likely will have access to 5G in many locations.

However, as you move further outward, away from densely populated areas, the coverage can get patchier, as there aren't enough 5G towers in more rural locations.

A lot of developing nations still use 3G and 4G. These older generations of mobile internet are not taken down when a new generation emerges. Rather, they remain available but tend to be phased out by newer devices that can support more modern generations.

What Do the 5G Symbols Mean?

If you're already using 5G on your device, you may be wondering what the different symbols mean. Here's a quick breakdown:

  • 5G: your device is connected to a standard 5G network (10Mbps - 1Gbps).
  • 5GUC: your device is connected to T-Mobile's "Ultra Capacity" version of 5G (300 Mbps to 1Gbps).
  • 5GUW: your device is connected to Verizon's “mmWave” 5G network (300 Mbps to 1Gbps).
  • 5G+: your device is connected to AT&T's faster 5G network (100Mbps to 1Gbps).
  • 5GE: the new name for 4G LTE (not actually 5G - up to 100Mbps).

Keep these symbols in mind if you're using 5G.

Is 5G Safe?

You may have seen the outrage faced by telecommunications companies when 5G towers began to be erected in the late 2010s and early 2020s. When 5G was first announced, a number of conspiracy theories began to emerge about their negative effects on humanity and the planet.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, some conspiracy theorists even believed that 5G towers were being used to spread the virus. Cancer, autism, and other health conditions have also been attributed to 5G.

A lot of this panic has come from the differences between how 4G and 5G work. Because 5G uses higher frequencies of electromagnetic radiation than its predecessor, many believe that it poses a risk to our health.

It has been theorized that exposure to extremely high levels of 5G may be harmful to human tissues, but the frequencies used by 5G are nowhere near the levels required to cause cell ionization.

At the moment, there is no consistent scientific evidence to suggest that 5G is harmful. In fact, many studies have concluded that 5G is no risk to human beings.

However, 5G has not been deemed entirely safe by the world's biggest health agencies. There may still be some 5G risks to watch out for, particularly those concerned with cybersecurity and privacy. For instance, 5G network slicing may open up new vulnerabilities for bad actors to exploit.

It has also been suggested that 5G is not safe for airplanes due to its frequencies, which may interfere with radar altimeters. This could endanger the lives of those onboard airplanes.

While 5G towers certainly aren't being used to spread viruses or conduct mind control, it is not yet known for sure whether there are also some adverse health hazards posed by this technology. This is especially the case in the long term, as 5G simply hasn't been around long enough for its effects to be studied over a vast expanse of time.

While you may think that 5G was the first generation of mobile data to amass health concerns and conspiracy theories, this is not the case. Ever since mobile internet was released in the early 90s, there have been skeptics that believe this technology is dangerous.

When Will 6G Arrive?

With 5G already being the norm for many, questions around 6G are already brewing. How fast will this new generation of cellular networks be? Has it been invented yet? When can we use it?

It is not yet known for sure when we'll see 6G hit our smartphones, namely because 6G has not even been developed yet. However, CNBC has reported that telecommunication higher-ups predict 6G's release in 2030.

In the same article, it was stated that developments are being made toward achieving solid 6G standards. So, we may indeed see 6G in the real world within the next decade.

5G Is the Newest Era of Cellular Internet

It wasn't long ago that we were eagerly awaiting the release of 5G. And, now, many of us use it on a daily basis, often without even noticing. As 5G continues to spread globally, billions of people may be able to access faster cellular internet, without having to deal with high latency and patchiness.

For now, 5G is still making its way through cities and towns, a process that may still be in the works by the time 6G comes around.