Tech experts are divided arguing whether 5G wireless technology could bring a new innovation revolution or prove to be just another hype that will disappoint in the end.
5G Wireless Tech To Go Beyond Smartphones
According to Venture Beat, companies such as Intel forecast that 5G wireless tech will go far beyond smartphones to reach the Internet of Things (IoT), a field that is expected to grow quickly to tens of billions of connected devices, from smart lights to smart showers and smart refrigerators.
It is expected that the wireless data networks won't be able to handle all that traffic from the connected devices at some point in the future. That's why it is necessary an upgrade to 5G wireless. Compared to the single-digit megabits per second that we are able to get today on our smartphones, the fifth-generation mobile network can transmit data at gigabits per second.
Big names in the tech industry want to become a major player in this 5G business. For instance, Intel introduced its first 5G modem chip at CES 2017. The chip will enable connected devices such a robots, drones, cars and collaborative augmented reality glasses to communicate over the IoT network and transfer data at faster speeds in the future.
In the second half of this year is expected a full chip kit solution by Intel. We hear a lot about 5G from as cellular technology. But the emerging 5G wireless technology will also see advancements in Wi-gig and Wi-Fi. At the moment, companies are building prototypes for both licensed and unlicensed technologies. Tech experts expect some real innovation with 5G, such as technology called network slicing, millimeter-wave technology, and multi-gigabit capability.
5G Wireless Tech Could Also Disappoint
As new technologies are introduced, the telecom industry experiences cyclical ups and downs. But sometimes, when a next-generation technology comes into view is first expected to be a game-changer but it ultimately underwhelms. This could also be the case with the 5G standard now generating reams of hype. It could prove in the end a big disappointment.
According to Light Reading, there is a precedent set by previous standards. At the moment of its implementation, 3G has been a genuine game-changer that helped the development of the mobile Internet. However, the 3G standard ended up by disappointing, as it could not cope with traffic demands. The subsequent 4G standard brought nothing more than additional speed and it merely rectified the high traffic demand problem.
The launch of 5G in the 2020 timeframe is expected to lead to a reduction in network latency and bring dramatic improvements in connection speed, from a consumer perspective. However, for customers who are already enjoying a high-quality audiovisual experience on 4.5G networks, the 5G standard will bring just a few extra benefits. People will likely recognize that 4G networks are able to run most 5G services. Most likely, the jump from 4G to 5G will not be as dramatic as the change from 3G to 4G.
For previous experience on the market, higher speeds will not stimulate any kind of sales growth. Launching 5G does not guarantee that the revenues of carrier companies will increase. It best case scenario, it might only help carriers to keep their customers.
