5G

What is 5G technology?

5G refers to the fifth generation of wireless communications technology, which allows multiple devices to connect to the network. It is a continuation and improvement of 4G (or LTE); it boosts data transmission and connection speed, among other things. 5G networks also expand the level of coverage and the capacity for real-time communication between different devices, as well as reducing latency – the web response time – to one millisecond.

How does 5G work?

5G relies on high-frequency radio waves to send and receive data and thus maintain connectivity. These micro-frequencies have a wide bandwidth but quickly weaken over long distances. This is why they require the installation of multiple towers with antennas for network support and signal transmission and bouncing.

This new wireless transmission technology is based on existing infrastructure that supports the 4G network. It also involves adding new antennas to assign a higher frequency and amplify the signal, moving information at a higher speed that’s almost instantaneous and in real-time.

What does 5G do?

The more technology advances, the more need there is to be connected to the network. That means a greater need for updating the interconnected system. 5G is being rolled out to connect people to everything around them – objects, home devices, applications, transportation and automotive systems, cities, medicine, and more – at higher speeds and with shorter wait times.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of 5G?

• Higher network speed: 5G exceeds 10 GB per second, compared to 1 GB per second for 4G networks.
• More connected devices: with 5G, it’s possible to have more than 1 million devices per square kilometer, as opposed to the 100,000 supported by 4G. is All this thanks to Mmimo (Multiple-Input Multiple-Output) technology, which enables simultaneous, real-time connections for multiple devices.
• Latency reduction: with 5G, the time it takes for data to travel the distance between sender and receiver is reduced to 1 millisecond.
• Bandwidth improvement: This means a greater network capacity and volume of data transmitted, which in turn means better coverage regardless of location, greater connectivity, and better performance for more users.
• Boosting new technologies: 5G is complemented by other technologies, such as the cloud and edge computing. These aim to process the data produced by the devices closer to where they were generated, avoiding traveling long distances and reducing latency.

Despite all these advantages, implementing 5G involves certain unknowns due to its progressive nature, which means a slowdown in its full implementation. These technological advances also always mean spending on developing infrastructure. For operators in Spain, installing 5G antennas and networks alone entails billions of euros in investments.

When will 5G arrive in Spain? (do not use for versions in other languages)

5G implementation in Spain began to take place in the last quarter of 2020 in the country’s main cities. This was done by the operators Telefónica, Orange Vodafone, and MásMóvil, using 5G NSA (Non-Standalone) technology and updating the software for the existing 4G antenna network. 5G SA (Standalone) technology is being rolled out with an independent optical fiber and with higher speed.

Projections estimate that 75% of the Spanish population will have access to 5G SA coverage by 2025.

Where is 5G available around the world?

According to Estatista, predictions show that 5G could reach one billion users just three and a half years after entering the market. This is record time, considering that it took 4G four years to reach that number of users and 3G up to twelve years.

South Korea was the first country in the world to roll out the 5G network. In Europe, Switzerland led the way; by January 2020, 90% of its population could enjoy this technology. In the Americas, the United States and Canada are in the lead. Today, 5G is also available in: the United Arab Emirates, Finland, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Germany, Japan, Ireland, China, Romania, Sweden, Austria, Thailand, and Belgium.

Is 5G dangerous?

The development of 5G has led to doubts, questions, and theories since interconnectivity also poses a risk in the cybersecurity framework if violated. However, considering the benefits this telecommunications technology has to offer and its promising future, developing measures and instruments to ensure online protection and security for individuals’ and businesses’ data will be necessary.