We’re likely to see all kinds of innovative technologies that take advantage of newer networks.Īll three major U.S. When 4G networks started popping up, it enabled the social media networks, video-streaming, and more - use-cases that we may not have even thought about before 4G was available. Perhaps more exciting about a next-gen network is what we don’t yet know. But those kinds of technologies are still in their infancy. MmWave frequencies are those above 10GHz.Īll kinds of things! Initial ideas for what we might be able to do with super-fast 5G networks include game-streaming on the go, creating networks of connected cars, and using virtual and augmented reality tech out in the world. AT&T has 5G+, while T-Mobile has its “Ultra Capacity” network, and Verizon uses the term “ultra wideband.” The different carriers have different names for their mmWave networks. It will be a long time before we get to that point, and even when we do the tech may only be available in larger cities. Only one problem - because they’re such high frequencies, they can’t really travel, so in order to get a decent mmWave network up and running, carriers have to deploy cells all around a city.
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These frequencies are extremely fast, and can deliver download speeds of up to a few gigabits per second. High-band frequencies, often referred to as mmWave frequencies, are what you might think of when you think of 5G. Mid-band networks aren't very widely available just yet, but both Verizon and AT&T are set to start rolling out mid-band networks in the next month or so. That means that unlike high-band networks, you don’t need a cell at every street corner. Not only that, but while they can’t travel quite as far, they can still travel up to around half a mile. Mid-band frequencies can’t travel as far as low-band networks, but they can carry much more data. 5G frequencies span from around 2GHz to 10GHz, and are many of the same frequencies used in 4G networks and Wi-Fi networks. Mid-band may well be the best way to deploy 5G, at least in a way that can actually reach a large number of customers.
Originally, “5G” was launched on the same frequencies as older cellular networks, and as a result, 5G still isn’t much faster than 4G LTE was - though it is getting better. They can travel long distances (meaning that you can connect to a cell tower that’s sometimes miles away), but aren’t all that fast. These frequencies were used for previous-generation cellular networks, as well as cable networks. Low-band frequencies are considered to be those less than 2GHz. Carriers like Verizon and AT&T had started deploying high-band connections in large cities, but when T-Mobile launched its nationwide low-band network in late 2019, it meant that customers all around the country could use 5G - even if it wasn’t really that fast. Low-band networks were the first 5G networks in the U.S. Here’s a rundown of the different kinds of 5G. Higher frequencies, on the other hand, can support much faster data speeds, but can’t really travel far, and can’t make their way through obstacles as well. Lower frequencies can travel longer distances and penetrate obstacles better, but aren’t as fast as higher frequencies. These pros and cons largely have to do with how radio frequencies work. There are a few different forms of 5G, and they each have their own pros and cons. 5G comes in a few different forms, which we'll get into a little later.ĥG isn’t one single technology - it’s a collection of technologies. It first started rolling out to the public in early 2019, however it was until T-Mobile launched the first “nationwide 5G” network in late 2019 that the technology started becoming more widely available. Curious about 5G and what exactly it has to offer? Here's everything you need to know about 5G.ĥG basically refers to the next generation of network technology and comes after 4G's launch in 2009, and LTE's launch in 2010. But that doesn't make the tech necessarily any less confusing. That, however, is exactly why we've put together this guide - to help you learn everything you need to know about 5G and the rollout of 5G networks.ĥG began rolling out to the public a few years ago, both in terms of the actual network, and in terms of smartphone support for those networks. But what does that mean? The rollout of 5G has been confusing, to say the least. After years of promises and hype, you now likely spend at least some of the time connected to a 5G network.